Wallbüsche or Wall / Rampart Guns

The following two listings are from the August 2026 Poulin Auction and are courtesy of them. They are large bore rifles which were meant to be used to protect a fortification in leu of light Artillery and were fired from a Wall or Rampart. They also could possibly have been used in Vögelschiesen matches.

Cal. 90. NSN. Bbl. 35 3/4″ swamped octagon. Barrel has crown proofs on top flat at breech. This massive rifle is marked “AMBERG 1840 / Bavarian crown” on the lockplate. Designed to be used to defend walls or ramparts, these rifles would outrange the standard infantry weapons of the era. The much heavier projectile weighing in the neighborhood of 1,000 grains was propelled by between 300 and 400 grains of black powder. Ladder rear sight graduated to 1,200 meters has inverted graduations. The sight base is fitted in a dovetail and has reference marks to allow it to be drifted for windage. Inverted “V” front sight also mounted in dovetail. Lockplate has a notable curved construction. Tumbler has only full cock position. Rifle fitted with double action double set triggers. The walnut half-stock secured by two wedges has a massive iron buttplate. Sliding patchbox on right side of stock with wooden cover. Iron forend tip has a notable lip at its forward edge. CONDITION: stock has notable wear, scratches and handling marks. The finish appears to be original. Stock has a notable crack between the forward end of the trigger guard and the sideplate on the left side. Small crack between top sideplate screw and breech. Approximately 1″ crack behind tail of lock. Metalwork has light wear turning overall gray and patina with numerous areas of fine oxidation. Bore has prominent lands with oxidation and fine pitting throughout. (01-29159/RW). ANTIQUE. $2,500-

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.