August 2009 (3)
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/14/2009
Circa 1740 to 1760. OL: 60 - 1/2". BL: 45". TB: Octagon to round. LM: Flintlock. Re-conversion. PB: None. S: Walnut. SR: Lengthened. Relief carving. This "Kentucky style" fowling piece is the earliest gun in this collection. While it has a walnut stock, at first glance it appears to be European imported gun in the early third quarter of the 18th century. However, wood analysis could determine the origin of the stock's wood. This gun also could be an early Pennsylvania made piece for it shows cheekpiece carving related to the early Reading group of guns with the single-carved volute behind the cheekpiece. Also the carving behind the tang is related to the early "GS with scissors mark" gun illustrated in J. Kindigs book. The carving in front of the cheekpiece also related to that gun. However, only wood analysis can determine the origin of the stock's wood. The early lock is a skillful re-conversion and the barrel has been lengthened by 16 inches and the forestock has been lengthened 35 inches. Please note: The cataloguer is simply correlating this gun to a few known maple-stocked, early rifles; however, all early Pennsylvania guns have their origins in their ancestral European backgrounds. Only wood analysis alone can positively identify the origin of the stock. No matter what, this is still a very early gun with its original finish and very early, bold, brass hardware.