This is a rare and fine example of an original early eighteenth century flint lock sporting rifle made for a child.

During this period of European History ownership of firearms was strictly limited to the Nobility and their trusted agents. Sporting firearms were costly and hand made to an individual's order. Male children of the aristocracy and officer corps were trained in the use of firearms and edged weapons as a function of their expected position in society. However, it would seem, given the rarity of child size arms, that few boys began their training before being able to handle standard size arms. For this special child size rifle to have been built the parents and the child must have had great interest in firearms.

The form of this good looking little rifle is based Wheellock hunting rifles of the 17th century and first quarter of the 18th century that were built in Germany, Central Europe, and the western areas of the Russian Empire. Though the complex and costly wheellock mechanism was going out of fashion at the end of the 17th century some rifles made in the first decades of the 18th century, using the 'new' flintlock ignition system, were built in wheellock form as this was considered the 'classic' rifle style in that period. In the case of this particular child's rifle the flintlock mechanism would have been much easier for a child to manipulate than a wheellock.

Another feature of this rifle is its RIFLED BRASS BARREL. Within the production of rifled arms in the period rifled brass barrels are very rare. The barrel of this rifle is quite well formed with swamped muzzle and eight groove spiral rifling with additional decorative cuts at the muzzle. This rifle is .52 caliber and would have shot a half-ounce lead ball. This caliber is smaller than the usual full sized sporting rifle of the period, the logical reason for this being to lessen recoil.

The steel flintlock is very well designed and made. It is of very early form without a bridle on tumbler or frizzen, and with an early detatchable flashpan with low fence. We do not find any markings on the barrel or lock.

The fruitwood stock and steel trigger guard are of classic wheellock form. the stock is very nicely proportioned with well carved cheekpiece detail and fluted ram rod channel. the stock mountings are brass and horn. The stock has a sliding patchbox in classic wheellock form. The rifle has an attached leather sling that looks to be very old and has an chased & engraved fitting matching one inlaid opposite the lockplate. the rifle appears to retain its original steel tipped ramrod (lower section inside stock broken where a 'ball-puller' was likely attached ).

This rare rifle is in fine original condition. the barrel and brass mountings show only light wear and have fine age patina. The steel lock and triggerguard are in similar fine condition with crisp edges and fine age patina. The stock is also in fine condition with a couple of minor shrinkage/age cracks and indication two small pieces of wood split off ahead of and below the lockplate in the period of use as the edges are worn and patinated. The stock color and patina are fine, and we believe the stock finish is original.

This handsome and rare 17th - 18th century child's sporting rifle has led a charmed life surviving to this day in especially fine original condition. It is a fine piece for a collector of rare and intereating arms.

Dimensions: Overall Length: 21 1/2", Rifled Brass Swamped Barrel: 11 1/2", cal. 52.