Wheellock rifle

Wheellock rifle. The stock is dark brown wood, slightly decorated with inset ivory or bone panels. The butt is shaped to be fired from the cheek and is minimally decorated as far forward as the underside of the breech with a stippled chevron ornament. Carved as a scroll at forward underside end of cheek-piece. On the right side, a sliding trap covers a patch or tool box let into the side of the butt. Horn butt plate. Decorated with pieces of bone or ivory as follows: Cheek rest: an oval plaque with engraved fleur de lys in the centre and wreath surround; both sidenails pass through circular plates bearing flower heads on a darkened ground. Fore-end: scrolled decoration on a darkened ground at muzzle. Wooden ramrod with ivory or bone tip. The whole fore-end is deeply fluted and bears two iron sling loops and a horizontal hole which houses the end of the ramrod. There is an angular trigger guard and lightly decorated trigger with additional but thin spike projecting in front of it. The lock is a wheellock. Manually operated sliding pan cover; ring cock also manually operated. Large flat lockplate extending back as far as the trap. The long lever extension to the top of the cock is broken off. The barrel is octagonal, iron and fitted with a notched rear sight and brass foresight. The calibre is approximately 0.33in. Inscribed on top of the breech is an octagonal punched mark, the letters 'M M' over a circular device and, between two stars, the figures '1 6 6 4' (presumably the date of manufacture). The rifle is stored in a modern box.