Any info on this rifle?

[meadowde39]

Does anyone have any info on this rifle? I did a google search on the markings "J. Hanl" and "Willowmitz" and the only definitive data I could find is Willowmitz was a collection of villages that now reside in the present day Czech Republic in the Usti nad Labem region. There is one smooth barrel and one rifled, I'm not sure about the caliber. I have no clue on how old the gun is or any info on the maker. I would like to restore it but have no idea what the gun might be worth. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[jdkerstetter]

Euro guns are not my area but I would be reluctant to "restore" it as it looks to be in really nice original condition, other than the missing left hammer screw.

Until you determine the value I would be hesitant to do anything to it other than applying a good preservative wax like Renaissance Wax and buffing with a soft cloth. Improper "restorations" have cost people thousands of dollars. :shake:

I would have it looked at by a professional and recommend contacting the National Muzzleloading Rifle Association as a start.

Thanks for posting the pictures. :thumbsup: Enjoy, J.D.

 

[Va.Manuf.06]

I agree with JD, it is in excellent condition and needs no restoration. A light coating of oil on the steel and Renaissance Wax on the stock should be more than sufficient.

 

[meadowde39]

Will do with the oil and wax, I would like to have the action repaired as the second hammer will not lock in the cocked position Also there is a piece of metal that serves as a rod guide (not sure about part name) that needs to soldered back into position. I live in Birmingham, AL and didn't know if anyone on the forum knows someone I could take the gun to, I don't mind driving if its a few hundred miles away.

 

This, IMO, is an early German drilling. One side smooth, the other rifled. The surname is Germanic in origin.

Make sure you get someone who is familiar with silver soldering the "ramrod thimble" back in place. Otherwise you run the risk of the barrels separating.

 

[Captjoel]

Not a drilling but a cape gun. A drilling has 3 barrels. Usually two smooth bores and a smaller rifled bore. A cape gun has one smooth and one rifled bore. I do agree that this piece has its origins in the Germanic lands.

 

[jdkerstetter]

Make sure you get someone who is familiar with silver soldering the "ramrod thimble" back in place. Otherwise you run the risk of the barrels separating.

True about the risk...but not silver solder. Silver soldering temps will be way too high and will separate the the rib from the barrels.

It needs to be soldered at low temperture by an experienced hand. Enjoy, J.D.

 

[meadowde39]

Ramrod thimble, thats a new term for me, I hate not knowing the names of parts, thanks for the info :grin:

 

[meadowde39]

Thanks for giving me a starting point, I will contact them tom.

 

[jdkerstetter]

The NMRLA has people in practically every state and will likely be very helpful.

Another avenue you could pursue is to contact the Landis Valley Museum and ask to speak to their conservators. They are very knowledgable and may likely be able to point you to somebody also.
http://www.landisvalleymuseum.org/index.php

I am sure there are other resourses too and if I recall others I will pass them along.

Good luck and Enjoy, J.D.

 

[dyemaker]

Nice gun. Interesting is the appearant stepped lockplate. Such locks were popular in that area bordering Germany but (not exclusively). The locks seem to add beauty of these guns. An example... Anton Vincent Lebeda in Prague...
http://media.liveauctiongroup.net/i/10594/11291518_7.jpg?v=8CE5D422749EEC0

Good Luck finding info and thanks for posting the photos.

 

[Frank Savage]

There were plenty of gunmaker shops all around the Czech part of Austro-Hungarian monarchy, even after WWI. Way more plentiful than ever in any place of the US. I will try to look up some info about this maker, but it´s not easy. Most probably J. Hanl is a descendant of Hanl gunmaker family, which dates to 18th century, moving several times along north-west boundaries of Czech republic.

The gun seems to be of 1860-1870 period, when the stepped back-action lockplates were considered fancy. They are, namely on rifles like yours. Be sure that what´s looking like gold is gold. It´s probably some custom-taylored gun made to order. Probably there are more rifles from his shop out there, but even maybe not signed-just utility smokepoles for forest and game management personell, with just one gold ring around breechplug or whole plain (yes, the fish and game management has even longer tradition in CZ). I´m no expert, but I would assume at least 1200, maybe 2000 euros as a starting bid in an auction, depending on the state of the bores.

As was said, only a bit of oil and wax is needed, maybe some 0000 steel wool on jag for the bores before sonservation. It might be shootable with mild loads, but seeing the proof marks (almost surely on bottom side of the web) would tell more.

Edit:
After looking on the figural medaillon on the tang: some landlords gave fine guns to some of their deserving foresters and gamekeepers. This might be the case...
The rifled/smooth barrel combo was (and by some still is) very favoured in hunting conditions which are around the place of origin of the gun. But richer people usually had SxS of one breed; cape guns vere mostly the "utility guns".
It would be interesting to know how it appeared in the US.

 

[Marc Adamchek]

Yes, it is definitely a Cape Gun as stated.

My only other website/Forum I frequent as much as this one deals with doubles of all sorts, smokeless and blackpowder.

I will send you a PM with the info as I think I may be breaking the rules if I posted it here.

I should tell you upfront that there is one gentleman in particular whose knowledge of European guns is astounding. I'd bet a buck he could tell you more than you ever thought possible when he sees your photos.

ps - As others have said, PLEASE don't do anything to "restore" this gun, its original condition looks beautiful.

 

[dyemaker]

If it was a game warden's gun; perhaps a hunting sword or dagger were to accompany it.