November 3-4, 2017 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/4/2017
This fine and profusely decorated rifle is made was made in Centre County, Pennsylvania. Little is known about Joseph Shafer, but the rifle has much in common with David Little's rifles. Little worked in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. The rifle features an octagonal rifled steel barrel signed "Jos * Shafer" on top flat, in script, decorated with stars and rocker panel engraving. Flat percussion lockplate, double set triggers, adjustable ramp rear sight. Brass furniture includes a four-piece engraved patchbox with classic central Pennsylvania finial. Sideplate engraved with rocker panel border. Decorated with 17 engraved silver inlays. Silver oval-shaped inlay above cheekpiece, engraved with a patriotic eagle, two inlays on each side of wrist, oval wrist escutcheon, silver wear plate on bottom of forearm, and three decorative inlays along each side of forend. Full-length figured maple stock of typical Centre County form with narrow butt. Hickory rope-burn decorated ramrod appears to be original. Very good condition with light grey patina on barrel and lock, some edge wear, scattered marks and freckling around breech and bolster. Patent breech, rifle was shortened during period of use. Lockplate has been cleaned. Brass and silver furniture is polished and shows little wear and a few light marks. Stock good with crazed finish, a period repair of a crack below lockplate, and some horizontal cracks along both sides of forend with some filled with old glue. Overall, a very tastefully and highly decorated Kentucky that displays very nicely and has a great look and much of its original finish!
Manufacturer
Joseph Shafer