June 9-10, 2017 Premier Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/10/2017
Round steel barrel with solid rib on each side and top. A series of gold inlaid bands in front of and beyond patent breech, rear sight, front sight and end of muzzle. Bottom of barrel fitted with solid rib with integral steel ramrod ferrules. Back action percussion lockplate marked "FITZPATRICK" in center in a banner. Hammer and lockplate are profusely engraved with detailed scrolls and ornate border. Fire blued double set triggers, steel double spur trigger guard and buttplate are all engraved en suite. Solid silver patch box is finely engraved with two cornucopias, detailed spiraling scrolls, tooled borders and round lid engraved with a scene of a running buck. Left side of buttstock features a solid gold, pierced and engraved, cornucopia inlay. Each side of forend inlaid with two solid gold barrel key escutcheons. Finely figured, walnut stock terminates in an engraved solid silver end cap. Very good condition. Barrel retains an even gray patina with a few minor scattered marks from use. Center ramrod ferrule has one small area of loss on right side. Ramrod is replaced. Barrel tang has two holes for a peep sight which no longer accompanies the rifle. Lock retains a light gray patina. Steel furniture retains a gray patina, darker in some areas. Silver is mostly unpolished. Stock is good with some finish turned murky. Scattered marks from use and a crack all the way around the wrist and one smaller crack below the lockplate. This rifle is a scarce example of the craftsmanship that Fitzpatrick was capable of. This rifle matches up in terms of quality to even the finest English rifle. Fitzpatrick firearms are extremely rare and highly sought after as he was mostly known for making Bowie knives.