Rare waterproof flintlock rifle, Spanish single-barrel, blue - Lot 320

Rare waterproof flintlock rifle, Spanish single-barrel, blued, with two registers: octagonal and then sixteen-faceted, separated by a ring chased with foliage on a gold background, stamped with a thunderbolt: "PO. MARCAIDO" (?) surmounted by a royal crown; the first section adorned with silver damascene motifs featuring flowers, birds, and markings on the three upper panels: “Construido,” “de Herraduras Fa Eibar,” and “Ano de 1844,” length 88.5 cm, caliber 16 mm; breech fitted with a hammer and a flintlock chamber recessed inside, topped by a cover; the hammer is cocked using a reverse trigger and another in the normal direction to fire it; long, engraved breech plate; engraved iron fittings; butt plate featuring a cartridge compartment; walnut stock with a cheek piece carved with a rosette, checkered grip ending in a marine animal’s head, short checkered barrel; whalebone ramrod with a brass ferrule; total length 128 cm. (Slight crack in the grip on the right side; trigger guard restored). Period, France, Spain, circa 1844. Good condition. PROVENANCE: Guy Monestier auction, Hôtel Drouot, March 28, 2000, lot 139. Expert: Bernard Croissy