RIFLE BY C. DETTENRIEDER OF ULM. Cal. 45. NSN. The Lorenzoni breech loading system was devised around 1700 and was usually made as a repeater with automatic loading and priming for up to seven shots with reservoirs for powder and ball. This well made rifle is an adaptation and features automatic priming but is a single shot loaded from top of action with ball and powder for each shot. It was probably made by Christoph Dettenrieder II working in Ulm between 1686-1729, however it could possibly have been made by his son Christoph working after 1737. It has 29" deeply swamped octagon barrel that screws off of bronze action. It is engraved "C-Dettenrieder-A-Ulm-" on top flat. Barrel is fitted with one standing one folding leaf rear sight with file decorated finial and gilded brass front bead. Fore piece of stock extends to muzzle with horn tip and is pinned to barrel. An engraved gilded bronze cap is at rear as transition to action which has transverse rotating drum for powder and ball at center. Operating lever on left side is in the form of a sea monster and is made of steel. Rotating this lever about 270 degrees primes and closes pan. It appears that it was also intended to cock lock but portion of mechanism that would do this is missing and lock must be cocked manually. Rotating the lever a short distance counter clockwise aligns hole in drum to insert bullet, further rotation exposes powder chamber. At the same time, ball chamber aligns with barrel allowing ball to slip into barrel. With powder chamber filled, rotation of lever to rear position places powder behind ball and rifle is ready to fire. Lock is made of steel and has heavy chamfered plate with back position main spring. Fore part of lock has brass priming powder chamber with pivoting loading gate on bottom. Lock features serpentine cock, unbridled friction frizzen and nicely filed feather spring. Tail of lock is engraved with scene of female warrior with flags and spears. Top of bronze action features another warrior sitting on a cannon with crossed flags and spears. Scroll engraving appears as flourishes on remainder of action and on bronze sideplate where it flanks a warriors head with cannon and flags. Rifle is fitted with double set triggers. Buttstock of fiddle figured fruitwood has raised carved mouldings around major parts accented by relief carved scrolls and acanthus at rear of action tang, at point of comb and at rear of fluted right hand cheekpiece. Gilded bronze mounts consist of large buttplate with top tang engraved with warrior and spear scene along with well cut scroll. A button at top of heel releases ball reservoir in butt. Cover is also engraved with arms and a lion. Early style trigger guard with large spurred grip is engraved to match. Fore piece wood has matching mouldings and some relief scrolls. Original fruitwood ramrod with horn tip mounts through two faceted and engraved pipes and thimbles. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: photocopy of online catalog with this very gun offered for sale, with handwritten notation of $28,000. CONDITION: very fine. Barrel appears to be lightly cleaned to a smooth silver gray. Iron and steel parts of lock appear the same. Bronze retains most of its gilding. Wood retains most of what appears to be its original oil finish showing wear on high edges and softening of carving. Bore is bright and shiny throughout. Action also shows evidence of little use. Lock is good; triggers work. Rod for cock appears to be missing. (01-26938/MGM). ANTIQUE. $6,000-9,000.