March 1-2, 2018 Firearms, Militaria & Sporting
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/1/2018
William H. Barton was born in 1817 and was listed as a gunsmith in Bloomington, Indian between 1850 and 1886. This rifle probably dates about 1850 and features an octagonal steel rifled barrel signed faintly "W. Barton" in script on the top flat. Flat percussion lockplate with stamp-engraved designs, marked "GOLCHER" in center. Double set triggers and brass double spur trigger guard. Brass furniture also includes a pierced and engraved four-piece patchbox with an edelweiss finial, brass wear plate on bottom of forend behind ramrod entry ferrule. Full-length figured maple stock with incised border on top and bottom of both sides of buttstock. Wooden ramrod. Rifle is in nice as-found condition, with dark uncleaned surfaces throughout. Barrel and lock retain a heavy brown patina, some freckling and some corrosion at breech. Brass retains a dark and unpolished patina. Stock has some minor losses on forend and scattered age cracks and marks from use. This is a nice attic condition rifle with honest patina and made by a scarce Indiana gunsmith.