Sunday, March 9, 2014

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.

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