Unusual deep chisel engraved southern european Wheelock RANDOLF HEARST COLLECTION

Unusual deep chisel engraved southern european Wheelock RANDOLF HEARST COLLECTION . 

Cal. 530 smooth Bore, 25 3/4 inch ( 66 mm) swamped round barrel with relief engrqved octagonal muzzle, is deep full relief carved at breech end in a style reminiscent of the Tuscan school, depicting chevaliers, castles and swag shell motifs. Nicely filed lock with internal spring has long spurred dog with brass scroll filed highlights. Wheel cover is engravedm and decoratived brass plate is mounted toward tail, single trigger is mounted in plated iron guard with finger grooves.  Plain fruit-wood full length stock with plated iron guard with finger grooves. Plain fruit-wood full length stock with plated iron guard with cheeck rest, has many scrimshaw derorated bone embellishments, with sliding patchbox cover on right side, and horn buttplate with bone knob. Pline hickory ramrod has black painted tip. 

PROVENANCE : Ex WSilliam Randolph Hearst. 

Condition : Good, Metql pqrts retqin en even grey brown pqtinq. Wood has what appears to be an old refinish, but to my opinion is original, stock has a crack in front of lock butis repaired, minor inlay repairs. Works fine

This particular rifle got sold at the James Julia Auction back in 2011 for 24,725 USD.  And resided in a private collection since then. Historical, important and good provenance.