Solomon Taylor, 1775 Powder Horn
18" length with engrailed edge, smooth throat, raised ring with two engrailed edges; spout has flats. Engraved with ships flying the Union Jack, soldiers, houses, and the royal crest. Engraved within a banner is, Solomon Taylor 1775. Wood base with an iron ring on the side. While the U.S. Revolutionary War Rolls 1775-1783 list at least three privates in Continental service named Solomon Taylor (one each from Connecticut, Vermont, and Maryland), the presence of theDieu et mon droit ("God and my Right") motto of the British monarchy beneath the stylized carved crown of the Royal Coat of Arms argues strongly against American ownership or usage. This horn belonged to an unknown Tory.
Condition: Horn has a very nice yellow to amber patina. The base has some animal damage. An old small crack at the bottom.
Kentucky Rifle by Martin Sheetz
.36 caliber, 41" octagonal barrel. Front German silver blade front sight; rear fixed notched sight. Flat-style lockplate with flat hammer, finial on frizzen spring. Barrel held to stock by four wedges. Raised carving behind tang, right and left side of wrist; carving on the left side of wrist flows to the cheek piece and then to the back of stock. Incised molding runs parallel with ramrod. Engraved four-piece patchbox with nice eagle head. Buttplate, triggerguard, side plate, ferules and nose cap all brass. This a petite trim rifle that, from its engraved designs and also its carving patterns, has been attributed to Martin Sheetz. The rifle was purchased from Joe Kindig many years ago and is pictured in his book. [See Kindig, 1983: 281-282, fig 120.] For further reference see page 77 of the KRA "red" book where there is a signed rifle by M. Sheetz.
When Mr. Kindig published his book, there was very limited research in regards to the characteristics of gunsmiths south of the Mason-Dixon line, except for the Emmitsburg, Maryland school. Shortly after the book was published Wallace Gusler and others identified No. 120 as the work of "M. Sheetz" (who lived just across the Pennsylvania/Maryland/Virginia state line) as the maker. There is an extremely faint remnant of the last two letters of the signature, which is heavily worn exactly at the carrying point of the rifle - making the the signature virtually unreadable.
Kindig praised this firearm and states, "Whoever the maker, he was quite a grand gunsmith. I would certainly enjoy having more rifles of this quality by him." Kindig also refers to the patchbox as "charming" and "beautifully designed." He goes on to say that the "engraving is deep and beautifully designed." Kindig describes the "fine relief carving forward of the patchbox, to the rear of the barrel tang and beautifully designed and executed relief carving on the cheek piece side. The beautiful curly maple stock has a high comb and a very slender wrist. This gunsmith was a fine designer, a fine carver, and a fine engraver."
Ex Joe Kindig
Condition: Barrel is a nice dark untouched brown. Lock has nicely aged. Stock has been waxed and has a nice dark patina. Brass was cleaned many years ago and has begun to repatinate. This would be a very nice addition to an advanced KY rifle collection.
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