January 16, 2020 The Susquehanna Collection
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/16/2020
Conrad Welshans was born in York in 1761 and most likely apprenticed with his father, Jacob. By 1783, Conrad employed five men in his gunshop and was part owner of a barrel mill located one mile south of York on the Baltimore Pike. He is also listed as manager of York's Armory on Main Street. In 1798 Conrad Welshans and Jacob Leather were contracted to produce 1,200 muskets for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The deeply rifled, heavy octagon barrel has a decorated muzzle face, a brass and silver front sight, and a notched rear sight. It is inscribed "C. Welshhans" on the top flat. The flat lockplate has single line borders and traces of Ketland markings in the center. The trigger is curled and features a decorative cut-out 'C' behind it. The brass furniture includes an ornately engraved and pierced four piece patchbox decorated with geometric designs and foliate scrolls. The patchbox release is hidden and activated by the back corner of the bottom surround. There is a finely engraved, pierced toeplate of nearly 6" in length. The sideplate is engraved with broken line borders and scrolls around the rear lock screw. The barrel is retained by pins surrounded by engraved silver inlays on the right side and covered with silver faces on the left side. There is a silver, oval shaped wrist escutcheon and an engraved silver star above the cheekpiece. Stock is of partially figured maple and in the classic York form with raised panels around the lock and sideplate, terminating in teardrops at the back. There are relief scrolls around the barrel tang and on both sides of the wrist. On the left side, the foliate scrolls continue below the cheekpiece and form floral scrolls behind the cheekpiece. CONDITION: Barrel retains a mostly dark brown patina and has been professionally extended by about 2-1/2". Signature is very good. Lock is a replacement but appears to be in its original flintlock configuration, retaining a corroded heavy brown patina. Functions properly. All brass furniture is polished. Wrist escutcheon is a replacement and sideplate is possibly replaced, as well as a couple of the small inlays along the forend. Stock shows heavy wear and a later coat of finish, 4-1/4" of the forend have been professionally replaced, and a break in the wrist has also been professionally replaced with several small pieces of wood replaced. A very attractive Golden Age York County rifle by a very scarce maker.
Manufacturer
Conrad Welshans
Model
Flintlock Kentucky Rifle