Siber- Switzerland

By Larry Schuknecht

The following is from the Eugêne Heers Book Der Neue Støckel Vol. 2

The Family of Siber gun makers in Lausanne, Switzerland dates back to the early 19th Century with Jacob Frédérich Siber (1779-1841). In 1805 he was located in Morges but about 1819 he relocated to Lausanne. From 1832 to 1841, his two sons, Jean (Frederic) and Jean Francois (Charles), presumably worked for him. His son, Frederich Siber, appears to have worked independently as an assessor for the cantonal military authorities. He usually signed only “F. Siber”; later, when his sons worked for him, only “Siber â Lausanne” His sons are Jean Louis Samuel Siber (1806-1851), Jean Francois ( Charles) Siber (1810- ), Jean (Frédéric) Siber (1812-1898) and Frédérich (1819- ). He marked his guns as follows.

Jean (Frédéric) Siber (1812-1898) worked as an engraver with his workshop at Escaliers-du-Marché 12. After 1832 he worked for his father. About 1850 when he worked with his brother (Jean) Francois (Charles Siber he signed their work as “Siber Frères”. His gun marks are as follows.

(Jean) Francois (Charles) Siber (1810-1847) In 1841 he probably took over the management of his father’s workshop: Escaliers-du-Marche 12. In 1846 he transformed flintlock rifles with percussion ignition for the canton of Vaud. Below is his gun mark.

Jean Louis Samuel Siber (1806-1851) About 1837 he moved to Paris in 1841 located at 42 rue Montorgueil and in 1851 at 29 rue Montorgueil.

RIFLE BY SIBER OF LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND. Cal. 65 Cal Multi-groove rifling. S# NSN. The Siber family were gunmakers in Switzerland in the early to mid 19th Century. This well made heavy rifle has 37″ twist steel octagon barrel fitted with unusual long range rear sight with flip up aperture and silver barley corn front sight. Heavy breech plug is well filed. Breech iron is engraved with scroll and blossoms. Lock with flat plate and integral fence is fitted with broad flat faced hammer. Lock is engraved with feather borders and well cut foliate scroll, “Siber” is at center. Triggers are set. Trigger guard with finger grooves and spur has vase shaped finial which is nicely engraved with scroll and leaves. Trigger guard bow has stand of arms. Dense, lightly figured European walnut stock extends to muzzle with horn tip and attaches to barrel with three captive bolts. Stock features right hand cheekpiece and fancy borderless checkering at grip. Hook type steel off-hand buttplate is engraved with stars and scroll. A vacant silver oval is at top of grip. Ebony ramrod with horn tip mounts through three plain pipes and matching thimble. Bat wing shaped and cobweb engraved sideplate holds wing type takedown screw for lock. CONDITION: very fine. Barrel retaining most of its original brown. Lock and other metal parts show light cleaning to silver gray with some remaining stains. Stock retains over 90% of its original finish with some light marks. There is a 16″ stress crack along right side of barrel channel. Bore is bright and shiny. Lock is crisp. Set trigger works. PROVENANCE: from the renowned collection of quality sporting arms from Lewis Drake together with inventory of Lewis Drake Associates. (01-26104/MGM). ANTIQUE. $2,000-4,000.

Lot #2120