barrel length 75 cm (29,5"), stock length 37 cm (14,5"), overall length 117 cm (46"), choke cylinder & 1/2 (cyl & M), weight 2,8 kg, made before 1900, British and Austrian proof, condition 4
Barrels made by W. C. Scott & Son and chronologically matching London Proof Marks, concave engine-turned rib inlaid with " J. Nowotny in Prague", brass front sight, patented ejectors, fore-end with Deeley latch, box lock, bascule engraved with arabesques, sliding tang safety, patented gas vents, double trigger, straight stock with oval cheek piece and extended carved stock end. Marked with "2" on barrel extension, also below bowl and in bascule and fore-end inside - whereabouts of No. 1 unknown. Barrels scarred on the inside. Marks on the outside corresponding to the time - adequate condition for an interesting and rare 20-gauge shotgun from Prague manufacture.
The story of Johann Nowotny goes back to that of his uncle Mathias Nowotny, who worked in Vienna. He took on his nephew for training in the company there. Johann Springer was also working in the same business at the time and bought the company one year after Nowotny's death in 1856. The story of Joh. Springer's heirs began. Johann Nowotny himself was internationally active and finally settled with his business in Prague where he worked until 1893. Later the business was continued by his widow Maria (until 1899) and Anton Nowotny. Johann Nowotny was a versatile gunsmith, always trying to work with his own concepts and patents. Thus he became one of the most important gunsmiths of the Habsburg era, a number of European monarchs belonged to his select clientele.

Category: Shotguns