January 16, 2020 The Susquehanna Collection
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/16/2020
This rifle is one of the finest made relief carved rifles in existence. It is comparable in quality to the best Jacob Kuntz Philadelphia rifles. This rifle is signed by Jacob Welshans. For another signature that is nearly identical, see page 130 of "Gunsmiths of York County" by James B. Whisker. Jacob Welshans, Jr. worked in York County, Pennsylvania. He is also listed in the Harrisburg records as a gunsmith in 1807 and 1811. The form of this rifle is more indicative of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. The full length, octagon barrel is deeply rifled and features a silver front sight and a notched iron rear sight with engraved decoration. The hand forged lock has a flat plate with beveled edges and a molding towards the tail. It is quite possible this lock was made by Jacob Welshans, Jr. The curled trigger has an ornate 'C' scroll cut out behind it. The brass furniture includes an extremely fine four piece patchbox with five piercings. The edges and finial are deeply chased and engraved with scrolls. The lid is engraved with foliate scrolls and well as a snake with its tongue extended facing a winged griffin with its tongue also extended. The toeplate is engraved with decoration and terminates in a ball which is also the patchbox release. The trigger guard has faceted faces and engraved bands. The sideplate is delicate and well designed with a molding at the tail and spurs surrounding the rear lock retaining screw. The rifle has faceted brass ramrod ferrules and a pin fastened brass nosecap. The slender stock is reminiscent of Dauphin County with an extremely thin Roman nose profile. There is relief carved feathering decorated with incised designs in front of the lock and the sideplate. There is a raised panel along the ramrod channel terminating in incised repeating chevrons as well as relief designs flowing into incised designs on both sides of the ramrod entry ferrule. The checkering shows diamond shaped panels of very finely executed checkering. There is chip carving along the crescent of the buttplate on the left side and decorative borders carved along the bottom of the buttstock on both sides. Below the cheekpiece there is a relief design with a checkered section in the center surrounded by two 'C' scrolls. Behind the cheekpiece There are two relief 'C' scrolls facing in opposite directions with the overlap section checkered. The relief scrolls are decorated with detailed incised designs. CONDITION: The barrel retains a spotted brown patina with some lighter areas and some light freckling on top flat. Lock is original and in its original flintlock configuration. It retains a brown patina and functions well. Brass retains a mostly mellow, dark mustard patina. The sideplate has been lightly polished. Stock is excellent, retaining almost all of its original finish with only a few scattered marks from use and some minor chipping below the lockplate. Checkering shows some minor wear. This rifle exhibits the pinnacle of Jacob Welshan's work. It survives in fantastic, almost untouched condition.
Manufacturer
Jacob Welshans
Model
Flintlock Kentucky Rifle