Cape Gun by Eduard Girku of Kaufbeuren, Bavaria

11 Bore/11mm. 27.125" barrel length. SN: 97. Browned finish to Damascus barrels with remaining metal components left in the white with gold borders and set in walnut straight-wrist stock with splinter forend, horn furnishings, and featuring fine bordered multipoint checkering to wrist and forend. Double barrel side by side back action lock extractor combination gun. Item features two position rear notch and front blade sights, and features a gold inlaid signature to the barrel rib reading ED. GIRKU, KAUFBEUREN. Item struck with Imperial German {Eagle} and {Crown/U} commercial proofs to major components with {Crown/V} london proof markings to frame and barrel rib, indicating it was proofed in Britain after production in Germany. Item is highly embellished and features deep relief engraved vignettes to the lockplates and watertables with spiral and floral scroll engraving over all frame components. Vignettes include {Wolf carrying a slain pheasant} to left lockplate, {Bear within forest} to the right lockplate, a {Boar} to the right watertable, and a {Hunting Dog} to the left. Each vignette is surrounded by a floral border inlaid with gold wire. Item further features a gold bordered {Deer} engraved below the triggerguard. Lever and grip are both carved horn, with the latter featuring a pierced horn finial. Item mounts a steel buttplate with floral engraved widow's peak and engraved checkering enclosing floral embellishments to screw ports.

Born into a gunmaking family in Bavaria, Edouard Girku is listed as an Apprentice in his father's firm until 1855, when Edouard went into business for himself. Thus began an exceptionally long career manufacturing primarily elaborately embellished sporting arms using Suhl produced components. Girku's firm became Eduard Girku & Sohn in 1900, and remained in existence as late as 1910. Firearms bearing Girku's name frequently feature elaborate deep relief engraving with hunting vignettes a common feature, in addition to horn levers and finger rests.

This lot is located in Cincinnati.