Vienna Jaeger Carving example ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

[Ron Scott]

Here are a handful of study  photos of carving on a Felix Meier Jaeger. The depth on the relief averages 0.035 for idea of the depth.

[heinz]

Ron, thanks for posting that.  That is impressive.  Is that a Vienna Jaeger?

[Ron Scott]

Good Morning Heinz,
This is a rifle by Felix Meier of Vienna. It had been in England until this time last year. I have a rifle in progress to which I plan to apply similar architecture and carving. I have not made moulds from these mounts as I am undecided as to whether to offer a future class with it as a model. I find it interesting that the carving behind the cheek rest is delicate, while the carving in front of the cheek rest and other areas are fairly robust.

[heinz]

That is an interesting contrast.  Is there also a different hand doing the engraving on the brass versus the engraving on the iron? 

[Ron Scott]

Judging by the number of surviving items from that workshop and the degree of specialization in European crafts, I would assume that at least two different craftsman did the decorative work . The barrel is Damascus and difficult to tell if it is an repurposed Ottoman barrel or not. Another interesting feature is the single set trigger, a feature not often encountered.

[t.caster]

Wow, the more I look at it....the dizzier I get.

[Scott Bumpus]

I am a big fan of yeagers but this one makes me think that some where in there is a pretty girl that put on way to much make up and jewelry.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

In spite of the shallowness of the relief carving, compared to the engraving on the brass mounts, it is cavernous.  This quality of carving requires very dense and hard wood.  It is difficult to find pores in the wood within the carving which speaks to the density of the walnut.  What a joy to see such work.  Thanks Ron.

[Daryl]

It is absolutely marvelous - all of it, but especially, for me, the lock.

[acorn20]

For those of us that do not have the means or opportunity to view a piece like this, thank you Ron for posting pictures.  A very interesting Jaeger.

[Dave B]

 What an amazing piece. Truely a work of art. I just love the way they give the look of depth but is an optical illusion and the reality of true depth is astounding. We are blessed to have you share the wealth with us in this. Thank you for taking the time to post this for us. I know someone who has some Arminian walnut that is capable of being carved like this. Let me see who was that again........Hmmm. That would be awesome if you did get mounts made. It would be over the top and would require me stepping up for some of your righteous Arminian walnut for the project.

[elkhorne]

Ron,
Thanks for sharing! The carving is beautiful and looks a lot deeper than than it is. The coverage is so great but all ties together. Beautiful workmanship.
elkhorne

[axelp]

nice, but maybe it needs a little more carving and engraving. LOL

[tecum-tha]

This rifle is most likely from the transitional period of 1710-1730, maybe earlier. Transitional period between Baroque and Roccoco in Art and Decoration.
Roccoco has much less scrolling etc. Imho this is most likely a very late baroque rifle. It is likely that the barrel is a reworked bounty barrel.
Lots of bounty barrels were "larger" diameter round and smooth and could often easily filed into octagon swamped, shortened and rifled.
Damascus steel was not produced in the west at this time.
Sometimes, these turkish bounty barrel were kept in its original shape:
 https://www.hermann-historica.de/en/auctions/lot/id/435704

[Ron Scott]

I have been speculating a date of 1720 plus or minus five years. Felix Meier died in 1739, so that gives some idea of the end production of that workshop. I have a Felix Meier Fowler with Damascus barrel with original Ottoman cartouche and silver ribbon inlay. Another unsigned Vienna Rifle has a bounty barrel with similar cartouche and silver decoration . This particular rife has deep chisel decoration over the area where a cartouche would have been located.

A recently acquired Suhl style Jaeger ca 1760 (fully developed Rococo decoration) has a barrel with similar twist pattern. It would be fascinating to know the full extent of dispersion of middle eastern Damascus barrels.

[tecum-tha]

Whichever troop contingencies faught in the turkish wars would be able to get their hands on bounty guns. One of the main engagements was of course Vienna, but it is not clear if a lot if these turkish guns were not still matchlocks. With the transition between wheelocks and flintlocks happening between 1690 and 1710 mostly. Transition happenend because of cheaper flintlock production. If the gun would be a matchlock, you would not use it, but would try to sell it. The only valuable part is the barrel, while the other parts would be scrap metal.

[bama]

Ron that will be quite the endeavor but I think you are up to the task, Great piece and what a great opportunity you are providing to your students.

Good luck, Jim