November 5th & 6th 2016 Premier Firearms Sale
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/5/2016
Octagonal, smooth bore barrel, signed “M. Fordney” on top flat, in script. Each side of front and rear sight with extensive borders on top flat. Flat flintlock lockplate engraved at tang. Brass four piece patchbox engraved with checkering, scrolls, extensive repeating patterns and rocker panel engraving. Patchbox terminates in a liberty cap, panel of wood on each side of lid with repeating relief “C”s carved in them. Brass furniture extensively engraved with patterns and en suite with patchbox. Typical fluted nose cap used on many guns by Fordney. Full length highly figured maple stock, buttstock typical Lancaster County form. Bottom of buttstock incise carved with extensive border and repeating “C” patterns behind lock plate and side plate. Left side of buttstock has carved cheek piece with incised border and repeating triangle pattern carved along buttplate. This carving is all typical of Melchior Fordney, and these are patterns and designs that are typically seen on the best examples made by him. Fordney was a prominent Lancaster County gunsmith known for his unique style and fine gunsmithing. Very good condition, barrel with brown patina with some pitting around breech, signature and engraving on barrel are excellent. Lock reconverted using original parts, it now retains a dark grey patina with pitting forward of the cock. Stock excellent with violin quality striping, sliver of wood replaced on top of forend extending about 6” back from nose cap. Carving is sharp and shows no wear. Furniture retains a mellow patina with all engraving excellent. Ramrod missing about 2” at tip. There is a 1/8” sliver of wood around the forend, forward of ramrod entry ferrule, this rifle appears to have been made this way.