A rare wheel-lock rifle from the property of the Royal Austrian Family dating: third quarter of the 17th Century provenance: Prague, Heavy, octagonal, rifled, 13 mm cal. barrel with brass foresight, signed and dated 'HANS STIFTER 1665' at the breech, with gilt mark (1044 di Stockel), remains of floral engravings at the base, adjustable rear-sight; enclosed wheel lock with flat plate finely engraved with hunter and lion in the countryside, pierced under the hinge, chiselled and engraved hammer and spring, sliding pan cover; chestnut full stock entirely decorated with bone and mother-of-pearl inalys depicting effigy of hunters, animals, hop and ornamental bands, a crowned double-headed eagle under the hammer, bone patchbox cover engraved with musician, elephant, unicorn, bear and other animals among trees; anatomic iron trigger guard pierced with foliage at the edge, set trigger. Neglectacble defects and restorations. Horn-tipped iron ramrod. Hans Stifter, also called 'The old', is documented in Prague from 1648 to 1677, already Master in 1649 he became senior of the guild in 1653. Arquebusier of the court, in 1665, also for the Archduke of Saxony. length 108 cm.