GUN FALL 2015
The live portion of this session begins on Monday, October 5, 2015.
IMPORTANT 18TH CENTURY GUN ATTRIBUTED TO GEORGE FREDERICK FAINOT, SUPPLIER OF ARMS TO THE CONTINENTAL ARMY. Kentucky Rifle NSN .58 Cal. 58. 65" overall. 4-1/2" x 1-5/8" buttplate. 50" long oct to rnd smooth bore Buck and Ball bbl. This very early smooth rifle has a 4-pc engraved patchbox which is characteristic in design of George Fainot's existing rifles. Fainot's patchbox designs bear little resemblance to classic Lancaster rifles. Patchbox door is engraved with a flower-like design. The rifle has a German style flint lock. The relief carving forward and back of the cheekpiece is nicely done in the style of early Lancaster rifles with lovely chain-like carving under the cheek not unlike that found on early Bonewitz's rifles. The heavy beveled brass sideplate is unlike most found on Lancaster rifles in that it is more French in style which is common for Fainot. The bbl is held to the stock with four bbl wedges. Curly maple stock has artistically executed carving behind the bbl tang with relief carved beavertails behind the lock and sideplate mortises. George Fainot was born in 1728 in France and immigrated to Canada in 1752. He spent some time in New York after which he relocated to Lancaster in 1717 where he ran his gun shop until approximately 1783. In 1779, Fainot was one of 16 local gunsmiths paid by the Continental Congress for gunsmithing work. He was also a supplier of arms to the Continental Army after the Revolutionary War. The architecture of Fainots work is clearly in the Lancaster style, but he chose to retain the influenced gained from past experiences so that his work does not "fit the mold" of the Lancaster School. Fainots' works are rarely encountered today and this cataloger has only ever seen one signed example. PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. Douglas Sirkin. CONDITION: The flintlock may be a replacement. The quality of the patchbox engraving is superb. All the relief carving is deep and well defined. 43018-230 RG23 (7,500-12,500)