Christian Ernst Herrmann (Hermann) Sr. & Jr.

Very little has been found about the father and son fine gunmakers Christian Ernst Herrmann of Wildenfels near Quedlinburg. Eugène Heer’s book Der Neue Støchel Vol. 1 cites Christian Ernst Sr. as active from 1680 to 1710 and Christian Ernst Jr. as being active around 1740. 

   On Nov. 20, 2024 the Auction house Herman Historica sold a pair of Flintlock Jäger Carabiners or Short Rifles and the following images and discription is courtesy of them.

C,E, Herrmann pair of short rifles #7107

Rifled Damascus barrels in Oriental style in 14 mm calibre, the bores slightly rough with unusual, yet good rifling. Lavish silver inlays and a pseudo-Arabic signature in gold at the muzzles and the breeches. Smooth percussion locks, signed on the lock plates. Exquisitely carved full stocks with patch boxes and bone nose pieces, smooth iron furniture, the rear sling swivels removed. Wooden ramrods with bone tips, one with a repaired crack. Splendid firearms in beautiful, authentic condition. Length of each 69 cm.

Another rifle by Cristian Ernst was sold by Poulin Auctions in Aug. 2026 and the following images and discription is courtesy of them.

RIFLE BY HERRMANN OF QUEDLINBURG. Cal. 70. S# NSN. This large heavy rifle was probably made for long range shooting at deer with barrel supported on a wall or rampart. It is of high quality and appears to have been made around 1740. The massive 38-3/4″ slightly tapered octagon barrel measures 1.53″ at breech and 1.43″ at muzzle. Barrel is fitted with one standing leaf, “V” notch rear and brass blade front sights. Barrel is decorated overall with punched in swirls and blossoms. Breech section is silver inlaid with some acanthus leaves. Maker’s name and address “HERRMANN. QUEDLINBURG” is in silver inlaid acanthus terminated ribbon on top of barrel (possibly Christian Ernst Herrmann the younger of Wildenfels, which is not too far from Quedlinburg, who was working around 1740). Lock with rounded plate features reinforced serpentine cock, inset rounded pan, unbridled friction frizzen and file decorated feather spring with trifid finial. Lock is engraved with some relief scroll. Rifle is fitted with double set triggers. Stock made of European walnut extends to muzzle with heavy schnabled brass cap and is pinned to barrel. Raised carved scrolls surround barrel tang and are found at ends of swept right hand cheekpiece. Relief mouldings are around locks, engraved brass sideplate and along ramrod channel. A patchbox is on right side of butt with sliding wooden cover. An eight pointed star of contrasting woods is inlaid on cheekpiece. All furniture is brass that is very nicely relief engraved in floral motif with heavy buttplate, trigger guard with bump forming grip and large sideplate previously mentioned. A newer hickory ramrod with bone tip mounts through heavy spurred front pipe, beaded mid pipe and heavy thimble. CONDITION: good. Iron parts are lightly cleaned brown patina. Stock with heavy oil refinish with details softened. Brass nicely toned to mustard brown. Bore is very good; shiny with some scattered deep pits. Lock and set triggers are operable. (01-27825/MGM). ANTIQUE. $3,000-5,000.