A Very Large Ottoman Rampart Gun, Turkey, 18th century

the watered-steel faceted barrel with two silver mounts, stock cast with a stamp and slight relief palmette design, the sighting plate with engraved foliate motif and elongated thick steel palmette comprising ten pierced holes, with thick faceted wooden grip with red-stained wood rosette and leaf motifs

patination to the steel barrel, some scratches and cracks to the wood sections, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

inscriptions

Stamp, reading: ginj (?) 'uthman 'Young (?) 'Uthman'.

The weight and size of this form of gun make it an impressive form of Ottoman weaponry. It is rare for an example of this quality to come to the market and it represents a fine example. Stone refers to this type as 'Sher Bacha', and illustrates a further example (see G.C. Stone, A Glossary of the Construction, Decoration and Use of Arms and Armour, New York, 1984, p.553). A comparable gun was sold in these rooms 15 October 2003, lot 77.