April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/24/2019
This rifle is featured in a two page spread on pages 92 and 93 of "Behold, The Longrifle Again" by James B. Whisker. There is also a very similar example shown on pages 12 and 13 of George Shumway's "Longrifles of Note". According to the Kentucky Rifle Foundation website, Jacob Kuntz (1780-1876) was born in the Lehigh Valley, brother of Peter Kuntz, learned the trade in Allentown and was taxed as a gunsmith in nearby Whitehall Township, Lehigh County in 1807. He moved to Philadelphia where he became noted as a fine maker of flintlock rifles and pistols. Kuntz’s better rifles are viewed today as some of the finest representations of regional utilitarian art. The rifle features an unsigned two-stage barrel separated by a series of rings. Rear sight centered on block, front sight dovetailed and of German silver. The lockplate is unmarked and features sprigs of engraving at the tail. Brass furniture includes a two piece patchbox with stylized fleur-de-lis finial profusely engraved with shaped checkered panels, vines, and foliate scrolls. Each side of the lid is decorated with relief-carved scrollwork. Flat sideplate terminating at the rear in point and engraved with scrolls and vine borders. Brass Lehigh buttplate, triggerguard and ramrod ferrules. Engraved German silver Allentown "Indian" heads in front of buttplate tang and in front of trigger guard. German silver barrel key escutcheons engraved with borders, an engraved eagle inlaid in center of carving on left side of buttstock, and a pierced eight-point star inlaid above cheekpiece. Figured maple full-length stock of classic Lehigh County, Pennsylvania form with scarce take-down forend with brass caps on each side of division. Diamond-shaped wood inlays around three foremost barrel pins. Forend carved with two incised lines along both sides. Both sides of wrist and around barrel tang carved with slightly relief scrollwork. Left side of buttstock decorated with large checkered panel surrounded relief designs often found on other Kuntz rifles. Complete with replaced wooden ramrod and accompanied by a detailed letter from Ron Gabel dated 2015 and valuing the rifle at $30,000-40,000. CONDITION: Barrel has been re-browned and shows some edge wear. Lock is a very good professional reconversion and retains a grey patina. Brass has a mellow mustard patina. Stock has a high polish coat of wax or varnish and carving shows some wear, some carving may be refreshed. One piece professionally replaced on right side of barrel tang extending to tang of lockplate. Otherwise very good with a few scattered marks from use. This is a very attractive example of Jacob Kuntz's finest work. CORRECTION: Some inlays may be replaced or later additions. It is also unusual that the breech is not hooked, as would typically be seen on a takedown rifle.
Caliber/Bore
.44 Smoothbore
Paperwork
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