GUN FALL 2015
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/5/2015
FABULOUS "AS FOUND" AMERICAN INDIAN USED PLAINS RIFLE WITH RAWHIDE AND TACK REPAIRS.HENRY FOLSOMPLAINS RIFLENSN50This large bore 50 Cal. percussion "HENRY FOLSOM, ST LOUIS" marked Plains rifle was just recently found in a Maine estate. Gun exhibits an impeccable "as found" surface. True orig American Indian rawhide repaired guns have always been heavily faked and spurious examples abound. This gun appears to have sat undisturbed in an attic for well over a hundred years. Gun exhibits a 7" sinew sewn rawhide wrap retaining bbl to stock forward of lock. Wrist is repaired with wrapped trade cord; several iron nails with trade tack decoration at rear of repair. There is a nearly identical Henry Folsom Plains Rifle which was owned and used by famous Indian scout "Little Bat" Garnier at Ft. Robinson, Nebraska. Little Bat's gun is owned by the Nebraska State Historical Society. It is noted that 50 Cal. balls were excavated from the Battle of Little Bighorn that were used by the victorious Sioux. There are at least a few St. Louis Plains Rifles of known use from that battle. You will not find a finer, classic American Plains Indian rawhide and tack percussion rifle. CONDITION: Iron surfaces are overall smooth with areas of rust and pitting. Medium weight 52 Cal. oct bbl measures 34" with orig sights. Gun weighs 9.4 lbs overall. Gun is functional with well discerned rifling in bore, though pitted. Brass trigger guard, buttplate and tacks exhibit chocolate colored patina. Stock retains hand worn patina with 30-40% orig varnish still exhibiting orig striped design. The repairs are as noted. Rawhide is tight with good patina; some scuffs and about a 3" hairline crack on reverse side of wrist. There is about a 1" piece of wood broken at toe with toeplate bent and rescrewed. Gun retains orig wooden ramrod with comparable patina to rest of gun. Gun is accompanied by an stylized American Indian wooden saddle used as display stand along with 19th century buffalo horn powderhorn with similar tacks, nails and trade cord much like that used in the Indian rawhide repair. Horn and saddle are overall very good 49153-1 JS (15,000-25,000)