Objekte aus königlichem & kaiserlichem Besitz

78 | Ernst II., Herzog von Sachsen-Coburg und Gotha (1818-93), war selbst begeisterter Schütze und großer Förderer des Schützenwe- sens. Unter seinem Protektorat wurde der Deutsche Schützenbund gegründet und 1861 das 1. Deutsche Schützenfest in Gotha abge- halten. Den hier vorliegenden Kasten erhielt er möglicherweise 1844 zu seiner Thronbestei- gung als Geschenk. Ein nahezu identischer Kasten desselben Meisters befindet sich in der Sammlung der Hermitage in St. Petersburg (Nr. 70, 6561, 6563). Abgebildet in: Antique European and American Firearms at the Hermitage Muse- um, Leningrad 1972, Nr. 392. Duke Ernst II of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha – a pair of cased deluxe percussion pistols, Ulbrich, Dresden, circa 1840/50 Octagonal barrels slightly indented in the mid- dle with excellently preserved bright bluing (one pistol stained on the side near the muz- zle). 24-groove rifled bores in 11 mm calibre. The bases of the barrels and the muzzles with gold band inlays, on the upper side of the bar- rels inscription (tr.) “Bored English steel”. Finely cut and engraved snail with gold-plated mark “Ulbrich in Dresden”. Tangs with flower ornaments cut on a gold background, adjusta- ble rear sights. Locks with semi-recessed cocks in the shape of dolphins. Lock plates and side plates with cut ornaments underlaid in gold. Triggers with adjustable firing pins, brightly blued trigger guards. Finely chiselled half stocks with finely cut ornaments, the fore- stocks terminating in dragons’ heads. Finely chequered butts, the butt caps made of ebony. Length of each 38 cm. In a case veneered with beautifully grained walnut wood, an oval silver plaque with en- graved cypher “E” underneath a crown inset in the lid. Lockable, original key is enclosed. The inside lined with purple velvet. Comes with extensive accessories comprising bullet mould, nipple wrench, powder scale, screw- driver, spring compressor of polished steel. The powder flask of staghorn with applied coat of arms and the loading hammer with finely carved riflemen scene are characteristic of the workshop Lebrecht Schulz of Meinin-