November 18, 2020 Extraordinary, Sporting & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/18/2020
Bedford County, Pennsylvania percussion Kentucky rifle made by Daniel B. Border in 1849. Full octagon rifled barrel signed in script "D.B. Border" with blade front sight and notched rear sight. Hand made "Rat tail" lock with high spur Bedford style hammer signed in script "D. B. Border" with a brass lockplate dated "Nov 1st AD 1849". Lock controlled by double set triggers with front trigger being hand made and lathe turned. Full curly maple stock with tight curl and with brass furniture including Bedford style "Q" finial four piece engraved patchbox with 5 piercings. Gun has 26 coin silver engraved inlays including an oval cheekpiece inlay and geometric design behind the cheekpiece that looks like crescent moons revolving in a counterclockwise circle. PROVENANCE: Rifle is pictured in Henry Kauffman's book "The Kentucky Rifle" on page 186 and in James B. Whisker's and Larry W. Yantz's Book "Gunsmiths of Bedford, Fulton, Huntingdon,& Somerset Counties" on rear cover and page 52. Rifle formerly of the Timothy Landers collection. CONDITION: Barrel has aged patina with very visible signature with some slight burnout around nipple. Brass has aged golden patina with silver inlays showing a pleasing unpolished look. Inlays on cheek possibly replaced at one time long ago. Stock has what looks to be traces of original handrubbed finish with a small repaired break in the forestock and crack near last inlay on right side. Crack behind tailpipe with some small areas of burnout around lock. Lock is original percussion with mechanism being a little sticky. Dark bore with visible rifling. One of the great Bedford County Rifles in existence. DLM
Model
Percussion Kentucky Rifle