Nice piece and definitely show wear from use. Thinking Scheutzen free rifle. Hole near triggerguard may be for palm rest for offhand free style shooting involving the sling as a shooting aid. MAy even be special ordered imported for German/Swiss style shooting clubs of late 1800s. Proof marks under the barrel may tell the tale but extreme caution urged as wood shinkage may cause brittleness or cracks if improperly taken apart.
Looks like a a carefull preservation may be in ordnung to keep this beauty around another century or so.
Looks like a a carefull preservation may be in ordnung to keep this beauty around another century or so.
