Antique Flintlock German Hunting Gun by Christoph Josef Frey München

I want to share a new antique Flintlock German Hunting gun in my collection made by Christoph Josef Frey München around 1770 with a very well made carving on all parts. Barrel is 41 inch long, cal. 61, and straight rifled for shot and ball.    

Photo supplied by Contemporary Makers' European Correspondent, Manfred Schmitz.

Relief Carved Golden Age Flintlock Rifle by Adams County Gunsmith Adam Ernst

42″ oct to rnd 48 Cal. smooth bbl signed “A Ernst”. Overall 57″, butt is 4-1/2″ x 1-1/2″. Bbl is fastened to curly maple stock with 4 bbl wedges. 4-pc engraved brass patchbox has 5 piercings. Head is shaped like a dogs head with a ball or other round object in its mouth. Engraving is somewhat sparse but extremely good. Beveled brass sideplate is nicely engraved. Hand forged flintlock is unmarked. Cheekpiece side of stock is profusely relief carved to rear, under and forward of cheekpiece. Carving is composed of a large number of C-scrolls and is the work of an artist superb in using rococo design. It would be very difficult to find rococo better exemplified in the work of any other gunsmith. Half moon silver engraved inlay on cheekpiece and an oval silver inlay on top of wrist which is engraved “JB”. Nicely relief carved around bbl tang with outstanding incised carving behind rear ramrod pipe. Adam Ernst is listed as a gunsmith in Berwick Township, Adams County, PA, in the years 1805-1811. Adam died in 1857 which would suggest he was a gunsmith from about 1800 on. A. Ernst always used a beautifully scrolled trigger, generally with very beautiful piercings in rear as seen on this rifle. Another characteristic feature of Ernst’s work is molded detail at front end of trigger guard. Carving and patchbox design are very similar to rifle no.157 on p. 362 of Kindig’s Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle in it’s Golden Age 

PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. Douglas Sirkin. 

CONDITION: Extremely fine condition exhibiting some of the best of Adam Ernst carving. 20″ of forend wood and 12″ of bbl at muzzle have been professionally replaced. 4-49813 RG14 (25,000-40,000)

Copy and photos from James Julia.

Lehigh County Rifle with Angle Gabriel with His Horn

37″ full oct 45 Cal. smooth unmarked bbl. Overall 51-3/8″, butt is 4″ x 1-1/2″. Bbl held to stock with 4 pins. Stock is very faintly curled maple. Wrist is nicely crosshatch checkered. Outstanding brass patchbox is magnificently engraved with 7 piercings and a finial depicting winged angel Gabriel blowing his horn. A piercing in finial is filled with a black horn inlay. Patchbox door is engraved “TB”, probably for owner since there are no known gunsmiths with these initials in Lehigh County area. Flintlock plate is marked “Ketland” and brass sideplate has 4 piercings, 2 of which are inset with bone or ivory. Round silver cheekpiece inlay is engraved while round silver wrist inlay is not. Buttplate is inlet into top of stock and trigger guard has a stud forward of bow, all characteristic of Lehigh/Northampton County rifles. 

PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. Douglas Sirkin. 

CONDITION: Very attractive rifle in good condition throughout as restored. Bbl has been cut 1-1/2-2″ from rear. 2″ piece of wood above forward part of lock has been replaced and all wood surrounding lock has been replaced suggesting lock is a replacement. 1-1/2″ x 1″ triangular piece of wood replaced at toe and rear 1″ of toeplate is replaced. 4-50105 RG19 (6,000-10,000)

Copy and photos from James Julia.

James Julia Auction Items

BEAUTIFUL LITTLESTOWN SCHOOL RELIEF CARVED AND SIGNED FREDERICK SELL RIFLE

Est: $30,000-$50,000
SOLD: $57,500.00

OUTSTANDING & IMPORTANT RELIEF CARVED PERCUSSION RIFLE BY JOHN ARMSTRONG, ONE OF THE FINEST EXTANT

Est: $75,000-$125,000
SOLD: $120,750.00

EXCEEDINGLY RARE RIFLE AND ACCESSORY COLLECTION CARRIED BY FRONTIERSMAN DAVID COOKE

Est: $8,000-$12,000
SOLD: $18,400.00

FABULOUS PROFUSELY INLAID UNMARKED RIFLE FROM THE HUNTINGDON/SOMERSET COUNTY AREA

Est: $3,500-$6,500
SOLD: $14,375.00

SUPERB ATTIC CONDITION RIFLE SIGNED BY LANCASTER’S FAMOUS GUNSMITH MELCHOIR FORDNEY

Est: $17,500-$25,500
SOLD: $23,010.00

 JACOB KUNZ FLINTLOCK HALF STOCK RIFLE

Est: $10,000-$15,000
SOLD: $24,150.00

RELIEF CARVED DAUPHIN COUNTY RIFLE SIGNED BY “Pe. BERRY”

Est: $18,000-$35,000
SOLD: $20,125.00

Copy and photos from James Julia Auctions.

Flintlock Kentucky Rifle by Peter Berry ay Cowan's Auction

.45 caliber, 42" octagonal-to-round barrel. Top of barrel on the flat is PB engraved in script; left flat of barrel has an asterisk engraved at the breech. Barrel held to stock by three wedges. Grooved dovetail rear sight that is pinched in the rear and front to hold sight in place with two small circles on the rear and one small circle in the front. Blade front sight with diagonal lines cut in the base of sight. Brass engraved patchbox, lid of patchbox has an engraved inscription. Brass side plate dated 1802; brass ferules and triggerguard. Nicely raised carving in the Peter Berry fashion on the rear of buttstock and behind tang; nice molding lines incised carved parallel with barrel and ramrod channel.

Condition: Barrel has a dark brown patina with some pitting. Lock is a correct style replacement and fits the mortise like it belongs there. All brass has been lightly cleaned and has begun to re-patinate. Stock was sanded and refinished many years ago. We have studied the stock and have other photographs available that show it is old wood, but was refinished. A very attractive rifle from a "Golden Age" maker.

Price Realized: $6,900.00

Copy and photos supplied by Cowan's Auction.

Smooth Rifle

 

Smooth Rifle Characteristics:

Full Octagan to Round Barrel - Smooth Bore

Rifle Sights

Grip Rail Trigger Guard

Flat Toe

Cheek Rest

With or Without Patch Box

With or Without Carving

This Smooth Rifle was part of a Display by the Kentucky Rifle Foundation at the 2011 CLA Show.

Photographed at the 2011 CLA Show by Jan Riser.