Wheel-Lock Hunting Rifle, mid-1600s. Hans Schmidt (Austrian, 1669). Steel, varnished wood (walnut) stock decorated with inlaid silver wire and appliqués; overall: 110.2 cm (43 3/8 in.); butt: 8.6 cm (3 3/8 in.); barrel: 83.2 cm (32 3/4 in.); bore: 1.3 cm (1/2 in.). The barrel of this hunting piece is marked with the letters "GS" within a shield, the likely initials of the owner, who was probably a member of the Order of the Golden Fleece as indicated by the escutcheon on the stock.