New Work by T.C. Albert

An old horn but I replaced missing tip with one I turned from antler and added the band and strap button. I have recently paired it with a pouch and hope to get it back into service. 

Copy and photography by T.C. Albert.

Morphy Auction: FLINTLOCK KENTUCKY RIFLE ATTRIBUTED TO NICHOLAS BEYER from the Louie Parker Collection

 

This rifle is clearly the work of Lebanon County, Pennsylvania maker Nicholas Beyer. The octagon barrel is unsigned, which is unusual for Beyer rifles. Unmarked lock. Classic brass Nicholas Beyer furniture including a pierced 4-piece patchbox. Highly figured tiger maple stock. Relief carving on left side of buttstock, around barrel tang, and around wrist escutcheon continuing toward comb and on right side of buttock ahead of patchbox finial. There is an inlaid brass extension to the buttplate tang featuring an inlaid circle of mother of pearl. Another piece of mother of pearl is inlaid behind the star above the cheekpiece. Complete with period ramrod and an iron worm in the patchbox. 

CONDITION: Barrel retains an applied brown finish. Lock is a modern replacement, does not hold on cock or half cock. Brass shows scattered marks from use and a mostly pleasing mustard patina. Wrist has been broken and repaired. An attractive rifle with beautiful tiger maple. 

From the Louie Parker Collection.

LOT #2119:

Minimum Bid: $2,000.00

Estimate: $4,000 - $8,000

Copy and photos from Morphy auction here.

Firearms & Militaria

September 05 - 07, 2023 • 9:00 AM EDT

Morphy Auction: JACOB KUNZ PHILADELPHIA SIGNED FLINTLOCK KENTUCKY PISTOL from the Louie Parker Collection

Jacob Kuntz first worked in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, before moving to Philadelphia in 1811, according to "Thoughts on the American Flintlock Pistol" by Sam Dyke. Jacob Kuntz soon became one of Philadelphia's most prominent gunsmiths. This fine pistol has a two-stage smoothbore barrel with a detailed relief wedding band separating the sections. There is stiff-leaf engraving near the breech, and "J. KUNZ PHILAD" is stamped on the top flat in block letters. The lock is engraved with borders and is stamped "J. KUNZ" in the center. The brass furniture includes two lock bolt escutcheon washers. The trigger guard has a shaped and engraved floral finial and is engraved with an ornate flower on the bow. The pommel cap is engraved extensively with floral motifs. Brass nosecap engraved with a band of decoration and turned ramrod ferrules. There is a silver oval-shaped wrist escutcheon engraved with borders. Partially figured maple stock of classic Kunz form with relief molding around barrel tang and incised borders along both sides of the forend, grip with shaped panels of checkering. Complete with what appears to be its original wooden ramrod. 

CONDITION: Barrel has been cleaned, some wear to markings. The lock is original and in its original flintlock configuration, retaining a grey patina; the signature is clear and excellent. Brass retains a pleasing mustard patina. The stock retains traces of its original finish in protected areas and shows some wear and scattered marks from use. 1 repaired small chip along the right side of the barrel. A very nice example of Kunz's fine work. 

From the Louie Parker Collection.

LOT #2115:

Minimum Bid: $5,000.00

Estimate: $10,000 - $20,000

Copy and photos from Morphy auction here.

Firearms & Militaria

September 05 - 07, 2023 • 9:00 AM EDT

Morphy Auction: THOMAS WARD'S 1775 LIBERTY AND PROPERTY ENGRAVED REVOLUTIONARY WAR POWDER HORN from the Louie Parker Collection

According to online records, Thomas Ward was born either in 1718 or 1719 in Eastchester, Westchester County, New York. He married Jemima Pinckney in 1750 in Westchester, New York. Private Thomas Ward served with First Canadian Regiment in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. Thomas Ward served under Captain Timothy Hughes and Colonel Livingston. He died in 1806 in Ossining, Westchester County, New York. The horn itself measures about 11-1/2" across the bow. Towards the spout, there are two relief convex rings. The main portion features a scalloped edge and is engraved at the top, "THOMAS / WARD HIS / hORN 1775 / LABARTY AND / PROPETY". Several towns and buildings in those towns are depicted along the Hudson River. Some places include: POGhKEEPSIE, ALLBONY, NEW BORUGh, NEW YORK SATY, ASOPES (Flag with "US" in another hand), NEW BORUGH WENSER, Cap L DUBOY 1775 (with a flag above). It retains its original scalloped protruding flange at the base for strap attachment. Original flat wooden plug. The horn is also engraved with the name "Captain Dubois" on it. One possibility is a Thomas Ward who served in the South Carolina militia during the war. He served as a private under Captains Dubose and King; Colonels Baxter and Wade. Dubois and Dubose could be pronounced the same. This Thomas Ward was born in VA in 1761 and died in Alabama in 1845.  Yet another Thomas Ward found was Thomas Ward, Sr. who served in New York, also as a private. He was born in 1716-18 in NY, died there in 1806. 

CONDITION: Retains a dark patina, some areas lighter from carry wear. A couple of minor bug nips, the largest at the base along the edge. Some chipping to spout rings. An interesting and patriotic Revolutionary War powder horn. 

From the Louie Parker Collection.

LOT #2106:

Minimum Bid: $2,600.00

Estimate: $5,000 - $10,000

Copy and photos from Morphy auction here.

Firearms & Militaria

September 05 - 07, 2023 • 9:00 AM EDT

Morphy Auction: SIGNED JACOB DICKERT RELIEF-CARVED FLINTLOCK KENTUCKY RIFLE from the Louie Parker Collection

Jacob Dickert was born in 1740 in Maintz, Germany and his family emigrated to America in 1748, finally settling in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1756. Dickert had a shop on North Queen Street in Lancaster and was listed as a gunsmith in tax records in 1770, 1772, and 1776. He opened a rifle barrel boring factory with John Henry in 1774 on a lot in Manheim Township. Jacob Dickert later made contract rifles with James Gill for the U.S. government. This rifle probably dates from between 1790 and 1810. Octagonal barrel marked "J. Dickert" on top flat in script with a maker's mark in a cartouche. Notched engraved iron rear sight and brass front sight. Imported lock inscribed "Ketland & Co" in the center, double set triggers. Brass furniture includes a typical Lancaster style sideplate with beveled edges, a 4-piece patchbox with classic Lancaster daisy finial and engraved with scroll designs, and an engraved silver 8-point star above the cheekpiece. Rocker-panel engraved silver oval wrist escutcheon. Barrel retained by 4 barrel keys. Full-length partially figured maple stock of familiar Lancaster County form with thin relief moldings on both sides of forend and relief classic Lancaster "C-scrolls" behind cheekpiece. Both sides of wrist feature incised designs. Wooden ramrod appears to be period and correct. Barrel retains a mostly brown patina with excellent crisp signature. Lock is in its original flintlock configuration with strong and well-functioning mechanism. Brass retains a mellow mustard patina. Stock has a restored crack around top portion of wrist. Carving very strong. This is a fine example by an early Lancaster gunsmith who also made rifles that were used during the American Revolutionary War. Rifles by Dickert are scarcely encountered. 

From the Louie Parker Collection.

CORRECTION: Tactile evidence suggests that an indeterminate portion of the barrel and forend, towards the muzzle, have been expertly restored. There is no visual evidence present; rifle has not been disassembled. 

LOT #2114:

Minimum Bid: $6,000.00

Estimate: $12,000 - $25,000

Copy and photos from Morphy auction here.

Firearms & Militaria

September 05 - 07, 2023 • 9:00 AM EDT