AR614 - 15mm percussion rifle by Stormer, Herzberg in Hannover.
A mid 19th century percussion rifle by Stormer, Herzberg in Hannover. With a 33” octagonal damascus barrel with folding leaf and fore sight, the top surface signed in gold "Stormo. Hertzberg", the gold lined breech impressed with the maker's mark and gold plug, eight groove rifling, the hammer and lock engraved in relief with realistic scenes of deer in forest scenes, the trigger guard engraved with a wild boar, double set trigger, the well figured half length stock with cheekpiece and engraved steel butt plate with concealed spring-loaded trap, full length ramrod. All very clean and crisp, a very very well done old re-finish that does not look overly new but correct for the style and period.
 
The Stormer (Stoermer) were a family of gunsmiths in Hannover dating back to the mid 18th century, with a record of being “royal” gunsmiths and armourers to the house of Hannover.
The rifle was part of the Hanover Royal Armoury in Schloss Marienberg and was one of a number of items purportedly sold prior to the Sotheby's auction of 2005. Many of the Marienberg items were originally from Blankenburg, from the Dukes of Brunswick & Luneburg, being relocated to Marienberg in 1945 with the take-over by the Soviet Union. Later many items were exhibited in the Tower of London exhibition in 1952.