Inked Impression (or "Pull") of Engraved Firearms Ornament

Ernst Moritz

late 1840s · Ink on paper · Arms and Armor

This pull preserves the decoration of the left action of a counter plate and depicts a stumbling hunter amidst scrollwork. It was engraved in the 1840s by the master Ernst Moritz, who signed the work on the hunter’s left thigh. Moritz was an administrator at the Industrial School in Zella, Thuringia, Germany, and he trained many of the most talented German firearms engravers who would go on to settle in America and engrave for Colt, Winchester, Smith & Wesson, and other major firearms manufacturers, among them Louis D. Nimschke (1832–1904) (see acc. nos. 2018.856.19; 2018.856.20a–jjj), Gustave Young (1827–95) (see acc. no. 2002.233.2–.26; 2003.521; 2009.330; 2010.481a–l), Herman Bodenstein (1829–65), and John Marr (1831–1921).

Artist

Ernst Moritz

Date

late 1840s

Medium

Ink on paper

Culture

German

Department

Arms and Armor

Credit line

Gift of Herbert G. Houze, 2002