A German Stonebow (Schnepper), First Half of the 17th Century. With slender steel bow fitted with later string of twisted cord incorporating a pocket for the pellets, a pair of fixed fore-sight pillars, built in raffle retained by a spring-catch at the rear, stamped with he makers mark, in a shield a prancing stag (Neue Stockel 5143 or 8442), carved fruitwood butt decorated with scrolls and linear frames, inset with an engraved plaque on the left charged with crowned Bavarian ducal arms (chipped) and with scenes from the chase on the right, steel loop and trigger guard. 

Notes:

Provenance - Ernst Schmidt, Munich 5th June 1930 No. 24

Purchased at Thomas Del Mar 07/05/2014