J.P. Sauer & Son Stocking Rifle Owned by Ernst II the Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha

J. P. Sauer & Son Stocking Rifle Owned by Ernst II, the Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, c. 1890, serial number 38541, walnut stock with finely checkered forend and grip accentuated with foliate carving behind the lock, the forend with a carved stag's head with antlers surrounding an inlaid white cross, the right side of the butt with cheek-piece and carved ram's head and foliate design, the bottom of the butt with hinged compartment to hold four cartridges, the left side of the butt with inlaid oval plate engraved "Letzte Buchse/Sr. Hoh. des. Herzog Ernst II/von S. Coburg Gotha.," the lock and frame with fine foliate engraving with scroll reading "J.P. SAUER & SOHN," the textured barrel rib with folding leaf sight and flat marked "J.P. SAUER & SOHN, SUHL," folding adjustable peep sight on the wrist, overall lg. 42 1/2 in. Provenance: Vintage Doubles LLC, Wenatchee, Washington, November 5, 2008.