Original 19th Century German Double Barreled Cape Combination Gun Marked Weidner a Schleiz - Circa 1855

Original Item: One of a kind. A combination gun is typically a firearm that usually has one rifled barrel and one smoothbore barrel, that is typically used with shot or some type of shotgun slug. While more modern styles utilizing cartridges were "over and under" designs, during the percussion era, most of these were side by side. Having ammunition ready for several different types of game definitely had its advantages.

This is a lovely example of a "Cape Gun", a side-by-side version of a combination gun that were typically European in origin. These were at one time popular in Southern Africa, particularly the cape region, where a wide variety of game could be encountered. This is how they acquired their moniker, which continued in use even after they became more wide spread. While the British style of combination gun usually had the rifled barrel on the left side, the German and Austrian cape guns have the rifled barrel on the right side, which is fired by the front trigger. The front trigger is usually a set trigger as well, however this example does not, as far as we can tell.

This German made example fits the pattern very well, with a 24 gauge shotgun barrel on the left, and a 0.58" rifled barrel on the right, which are just about the same size. There are no maker markings on the lock plates, however the barrel strap is marked with WEIDNER A SCHLEIZ., which was originally fully silver inlaid, but now is missing some of that. Schleiz is a town in the Vogtland region of Thuringia, which is in the far eastern side of modern Germany. We have not been able to find out much about the maker, though we definitely did fine some other guns that they produced. Most likely the entire gun is definitely bespoke, built to order by a local gunmaker, who looks to have been highly skilled.

We were not able to locate any other markings on the gun or under the barrel, so we assume the barrel is German, an area which did not have any unified gun proofing system as seen in England and Belgium. It is however of exceptionally high quality, and must have taken quite a bit of hand work to achieve. While the barrels are plain, the barrel breech and tang fittings are highly engraved with "bank note" style floral designs, as are both of the lock plates. There is additional engraving on areas of the "pistol grip" style trigger guard.

Overall condition of the metalwork is very nice, with a lovely plum patina on the barrels, and a mottled gray patina on the other components. There are no major oxidation or rust issues, just a lovely patina of age. The locks are both fully functional, holding at half cock and firing at full. It is fitted with a wooden ramrod under the barrel, which does not have any fittings on either end. We checked the bores, and the smoothbore barrel shows use, with some powder fouling and oxidation on the interior. The rifled barrel still shows strong rifling, with some fouling in the grooves, but overall is in very good shape, with the lands still bright.

The wood stock is beautiful, though it does show wear from age and use, with scratches, dents, and issues. There is a crack on the left side of the wrist running back from the left lock plate, and the right side shows a split along the grain running back from the barrel tang. We do not know if these are from damage, or just the wood separating along the grain due to environmental changes. The left side of the butt stock has a lovely cheek piece with carved flower design at the rear, and the wrist is checkered, which does show some light wear. The right side of the butt stock has a wooden sliding patch box cover, released by pulling up on the button at the end. We have seen similar compartments on previous examples of German "Cape Guns".

A lovely example of a Victorian Era hunting gun, made in Germany for possible export to South Africa. Ready to research and display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: circa 1855
Shotgun Caliber: 24 Gauge - about 0.58"
Rifle Caliber: 0.58" with 8 groove rifling
Cartridge Type: Lead Shot/ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 30 1/2 Inches
Overall Length: 46 3/8 Inches
Action type: Side Action Percussion Locks
Feed System: Muzzle Loading

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