January 16, 2020 The Susquehanna Collection
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/16/2020
John Noll, Jr. was born in Bart Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania in 1747. He is listed as a freeman in the 1773 tax lists from Bart Township. He served in the American Revolution, therefore is not listed on the 1775 tax list. After returning home from his service in the Revolutionary War he is again listed on a Franklin County tax list where he purchased property at the foot of South Mountain in Washington Township. He died in 1824 and no will or estate was filed in Franklin County. Joe Kindig, Jr. considered him one of the best master gunsmiths. The rifle has a smoothbore octagonal barrel with a punch dot decorated muzzle, a dovetailed silver front blade sight, and a notched rear sight. The original unmarked lock has a flat plate and has been converted to percussion during the period of use. The rifle features brass furniture including a four piece engraved patchbox with Noll's signature bird's head finial. The flat sideplate is decorated with scroll engraving and the trigger guard is faceted. There is an engraved silver oval above the cheekpiece featuring a patriotic eagle and an oval wrist escutcheon inscribed "WR". The figured maple stock is of Franklin County form and features well executed relief designs on the left side behind the cheekpiece. There are formal 'C' scrolls surrounding a panel of punch dot checkering, as well as scalloping around the edges. There are relief carved scrolls on both sides of the wrist and the stock is sleeved. There are also shaped relief carved panels around the lock and sideplate, as well as scrolls around the ramrod entry ferrule. There is a thin panel of relief and incised design on each side of the forearm. CONDITION: Almost completely as found and untouched. Barrel and lock retain a dark, heavy brown patina. Breech and bolster show some heavy corrosion. Lock does not hold on cock and needs adjustment. Brass retains a dark, nearly brown patina. Stock shows much original finish with some carrying wear at wrist and two carving behind ramrod entry ferrule, entry ferrule is loose. There are minor pieces of wood replaced above front lock tang between lock and barrel tang, and a professional repair where the rifle was broken just in front of the trigger guard finial. There is also about a 10" piece replaced along the right side of the forend. The repairs are very well blended.
Caliber/Bore
.50 Smoothbored
Model
Precussion Kentucky Rifle