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 5.27.2020: EXTRAORDINARY FLINTLOCK KENTUCKY RIFLE WITH PENNSYLVANIA STATE SEAL ON PATCHBOX, ATTRIBUTED TO JACOB KUNTZ

In 1989, Joe Kindig III stated "Jacob Kuntz is certainly in a class by himself," illustrating the high regard in which his work is viewed today. Other similar examples are in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and Winterthur. This rifle is undoubtedly one of the finest ever made by Jacob Kuntz. The two stage barrel features an applied teardrop shaped brass front and an iron notched rear sight centered on the block. The flat lockplate has beveled edges and a step at the tail. It is stamped "W / KETLAND / & CO" in the center. Although this rifle was made while Kuntz was in Philadelphia it shows a number of Lehigh characteristics including a stepped wrist, a short relief cheekpiece, a Lehigh profile to the buttstock, and a triangular shaped forestock. The four piece pierced brass patchbox incorporates the state seal of Pennsylvania into the finely engraved pierced and inlaid composition and sets it aside from Kuntz's other work. The rifle has a classic Kuntz two piece pierced and engraved sideplate featuring floral designs. The toeplate is shaped and engraved to form a pineapple, while the Lehigh County trigger guard, with a lug in front of the bow, lacks engraving. There is a pierced brass inlay on each side of the forearm, which is decorated with engraved floral designs. There is a silver Allentown Indian head engraved with detail just in front of the trigger guard finial. Above the cheekpiece there is an ornate, engraved, and pierced silver eagle. the figured maple stock shows classic Lehigh County form and features a checkered wrist, a raised border around the barrel tang, and an incised, stylized Fleur-de-Lis, commonly found on Kuntz guns, behind the ramrod ferrule. On the left side of the cheekpiece is the signature "Jacob Kuntz" relief and incised designed featuring flowers, scalloping, and foliate scrolls surrounding a large checkered panel. Complete with a replaced brass tipped wooden ramrod. CONDITION: Barrel retains a mostly mottled brown patina with some edge wear and scattered marks. The lock is probably a replacement and has been professionally reconverted to flintlock configuration, retains a brown surface. Brass retains a mellowing patina, showing some light wear and scattered marks from use. Some minor denting to sideplate around rear lock retaining screw. Ramrod thimbles also show some wear and minor denting. Stock retains much original Lehigh violin finish in and around carving, and in protected areas. There is a small sliver replaced above the cock and a couple small slivers along the forend on the right side. It would be difficult to find a better example of a Jacob Kuntz rifle.

Minimum Bid: $20,000.00

Final Price include buyers premium: $60,000.00

Estimate: $40,000 - $60,000

Number of Bids: 16

Copy and photos from Morphy Auctions here.

Jacob Kuntz at James Julia Auction

Lehigh County Relief Carved Rifle by Jacob Kuntz

42-3/4" full oct 60 Cal. rifled unsigned bbl. Rifle is relief and incised carved forward of and behind the cheekpiece and the sideplates on the two piece patchbox are incised carved. Relief carving is present forward of the patchbox. Relief carving is profuse around the rear ramrod entrance pipe and is also nicely done around the bbl tang. Carving on this gun is the finest this cataloger has ever seen on a gun from the Lehigh Valley area. Two piece patchbox is heavy cast brass and the finial is engraved. Trigger guard is also cast brass and both the guard and the patchbox show original casting flaws. Heavy brass beveled arrow back sideplate is typical of the area and is not engraved. There is an engraved silver eight-pointed star on the cheek and the top point rolls over the comb. Stock is beautiful curly maple and the wrist is egg shaped, wider than high. Profile is classic Lehigh County. This cataloger is very familiar with this rifle. This rifle turned up at a barn sale in Snyder County in the 1960's and was purchased by Dallas Ewing, a very close friend of this consignor. At the time it was located the forend wood, from the rear entrance pipe to the nosecap, was missing. The forend was painstakingly and professionally restored so perfectly that the officers of the Kentucky Rifle Association were unaware that it had been repaired when they inspected the rifle. Since that time another gun, not in nearly as good condition, with the same exact carving surfaced. The second gun was important, however, because it was signed "Jacob Kuntz" identifying the maker of both guns. This gun was selected to be used extensively in the advertising for the Kentucky Rifle Association's 50th anniversary and was featured on their 50th anniversary banners. This cataloger remains of the opinion this rifle ranks among the best of the existing Lehigh County guns. Jacob Kuntz "Kunz" is a very important maker who was trained in Allentown, PA. Jacob moved to Philadelphia in 1810, and in 1812 married Barbara Newhard niece of the famous Allentown gunsmith Peter Newhard. in 1833 the Franklin Institute of Philadelphia awarded Jacon Kuntz a silver metal for his skill and ingenuity. Jacob died at the age of 95 years after becoming Philadelphia's most sought after gunsmith by wealthy customers in England, Scotland, and America. Jacob was an excellent engraver and several examples of his work are on display in New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art. This gun being offered in this auction originated from the same collection as one of the Kuntz rifles currently on display in the Metropolitan Museum's collection. Item appeared in the President's display, Kentucky Rifle Association. 

PROVENANCE: See President's Display of Kentucky Rifle Association; see Brochure of Kentucky Rifle Association, 2011. Dallas Ewing, Dr. James Dorsey, Henry Bishop. Collection of Dr. Douglas Sirkin. 

CONDITION: Rifle is in wonderful condition throughout. Carving is crisp and beautifully done. Casting flaws seen on the cast brass patchbox finial and cast brass trigger guard are original and correct. 4-50130 RG41 (50,000-70,000)

Small Flintlock Pistol Signed by Jacob Kuntz, Philadelphia

5-1/2" full oct rifled .58 Cal bbl engraved "J KUNZ PHILADa". Bbl tang is engraved and orig flintlock is marked "BROOMHEAD & THOMAS". Pistol has a pewter nosecap and bbl is held to stock with one bbl wedge. Pistol grip is checkered and stock is walnut. Pistol has 3-1/2" long nicely figured 1-screw sideplate. Iron trigger guard, buttcap and ramrod ferrules retain some of their orig blueing.

PROVENANCE: Frank Sujansky Collection. 

CONDITION: Small crack from rear of lock toward trigger guard and some rough spots around lock mortice. Pistol seems to be in orig condition throughout with only normal age imperfections. 4-49494 RG32 (2,000-4,000)

Lehigh Cunty Violin Finish Pistol Attributed to Jacob Kuntz

8-1/4" oct to rnd .45 Cal smooth unmarked bbl. Percussion lock, which has been converted from flint is stamped "ROGERS & BROTHERS PHILADELPHIA WARRANTED". Curly maple stock has very desirable Lehigh County red violin finish and the wrist is nicely checkered. Stock has a relief border around bbl tang typical of Kunz family guns and there are two incised scribe lines on each side of trigger guard under lock and sideplate panels as well as two scribe lines from breech back 1-1/2" above lock and sideplate panels, also characteristic of Kunz's work. Brass sideplates are nicely engraved and are typical of the patterns used by Jacob and Peter Kunz. Buttcapp is floral engraved around its retaining screw and two bbl wedges are set into silver football shaped engraved inlays. Oval silver inlay behind bbl tang that is initialed "JD". This is the most desirable of the Kunz family style pistols. This pistol won the coveted Kentucky Rifle Association Silver Best Pistol Award at the associations 1981 annual meeting. 

PROVENANCE: Frank Sujansky Collection. 

CONDITION: Clean and solid throughout with only expected age related imperfections and lock is converted from flintlock. Truly a fabulous pistol! 4-49462 RG45 (20,000-30,000)

Copy and photos from James Julia.

Jacob Kuntz Flintlock Rifle from The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Jacob Kuntz  

American, Pennsylvania, 1780–1876

This rifle is an early example of Kuntz's work, perhaps made about 1810, when he moved from Northampton County, Pennsylvania, to Philadelphia. The restrained carving of the stocks and the confident treatment of the engraved brass inlays demonstrate his early mastery of the techniques that distinguish him as one of Philadelphia's finest gunmakers.

about 1810–15

American, Pennsylvania

Engraved steel and brass; maple inlaid with engraved brass, silver, bone, horn

L. (overall) 59 1/4 in. (150.5 cm) L. (barrel) 43 in. (109.22 cm) Wt. 9 lb. 13 oz. ( 4451 gm) Caliber .46

Copy and photos from The Metropolitan Museum of Art.