#33 • A Very Fine High Art Tusco-Emelian Italian Snaphaunce Sporting Gun With Barrel By Antonio Franzino

Part of The Ray Howser Firearms Collection, 1931-2026 (timed auction by Lewis & Grant Auctions)

Starting at $5,000.00

Status: Available

Live bidding starts Nov 20, 2026 10:00 AM EST

.620 bore diameter, 37.5"Barrel, NSN. The long smoothbore barrel finely fluted at the breech in the manner of Italy’s finest barrel makers like the Comminazzo’s, renowned throughout Europe. The raised breech serving as the rear sight. Signed “ANTONIO FRANZINO”. The barrel with two magnificent silver plaques cast and chased in very high relief the rear with large grotesque bearded mask also serving as a sight. The front plaque with a bust of a woman and above a standing winged eagle below a  portrait in a reserve possibly the original owner who ordered this work of art. The cannon muzzle encased in silver. The Snaphaunce lock of superb quality chiseled in relief, the tail with a portrait bust, the center with another relief half length portrait of a naked woman. The swan neck cock chiseled in relief with acanthus held by a relief chiseled head. The frizzen spring elegantly chiseled and the frizzen chiseled and pierced. Chiseled steel mounts in the best Italian style, the sideplate pierced and engraved with addorsed female figures nursing dragons with their bare breasts. The thumb piece with ducal crown over a male portrait flanked by two breasted females all over a grotesque head. The highly figured walnut fullstock finely carved in high relief along the fore-end with scrolling foliage and swag of fruit. Both sides of the butt are carved in high relief with scrolls and blossoms. Fine Italian Snaphaunce pistols are relatively common; however high art Italian Snaphaunce long guns are very rarely offered for sale. Two very similar Italian Snaphaunce sporting guns from the Collection of Joe Kindig Jr, are illustrated in Merrill Lindsay’s ‘One Hundred Great Guns” on page 63. Overall condition with some wear to barrel and stock however it remains most presentable. This wonderful work of art retains its original ramrod.