November 5th & 6th 2016 Premier Firearms Sale
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/5/2016
Rifled octagonal barrel signed on top flat in block letters "J. SNAVELY". Flat flintlock lockplate marked "SWEITZER". Brass furniture includes six piece pierced patchbox engraved on the lid with foliage and on the finial with florals and scrolls. Sideplate engraved with a broken line border and wings on each side of rear lock retaining screw. Brass barrel keys. Full length figured maple stock of typical Dauphin County, Pennsylvania form. Checkered wrist with vacant oval wrist escutcheon with rocker panel engraving and eight pointed silver Moravian star inlaid above cheekpiece. Wooden ramrod. Snevely worked in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and is a rare maker. Included with the rifle is a letter from April 10th 1937 from Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania which states "This old rifle was handed down to I,William O. Oppelt, Jr. I received it from great Aunt Miss Ellen Snavely, she received it from her brother David Snavely, he received it from his brother John Snavely, and he received it from his grandfather. This gun was also used for protection at the Old Tannery at Silver Spring. Received of Mrs. Morris Pass $100.00 for old rifle. Signed Mr. Oppelt, Jr."This rifle is in very good condition; the barrel retains a light grey patina with scattered dark spots and some pitting around the breech. Lock has been professionally reconverted. Brass retains a light patina and silver is unpolished. Stock is excellent with a few scattered marks from use; horizontal age cracks along left side of forend. Some minor restoration between entry furl and middle furl on forend.