April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/24/2019
Wallace Gusler is a world-renowned master gunsmith. He is a native Virginian who has always had an interest in the frontier and long rifles. He made his first muzzleloader at age 14 in 1956. Due to his talent for gun building and his passionate interest in Virginia history, Wallace was offered a job at Colonial Williamsburg in late 1962. In 1963 he moved to the gunsmith shop where he was named Master Gunsmith a year later. Wallace made every part of a rifle by hand and taught himself to forge weld rifle barrels. Since starting at Colonial Williamsburg, his firearms have become known as contemporary masterpieces and are sought after by shooters and collectors alike. This rifle features a blued octagonal barrel with sights mounted on the top flat and inscribed on top "W GUSLER G SUITOR WMSBG. VA. 1997". The barrel is also decorated on the muzzle face and features deep rifling. The left hand lock has a rounded face with polished surfaces and blued accent screws. The plate and cock are engraved with scroll designs and tooled borders. The front tang is marked "FRAZIER / WILLIAMSBURG" The large, curled trigger has shaped designs behind it. The brass mounts are early American in style and include a four-piece patchbox, engraved with finely executed scroll work. The buttplate measures 2 - 3/8" in width and has an engraved tang. The full sideplate is engraved with a bow and arrow, as well as a tomahawk, and other floral scrolls and designs. The faceted trigger guard is of plain brass. Silver inlaid wrist escutcheon is finely engraved with acanthus leaf designs. The partially figured maple stock has a dark oil finish and has relief carved panels around the lock and sideplate. There is a relief carved shell in the early fashion behind the barrel tang and the right side of the butt stock is carved with relief scrolls on both sides of the molded cheek piece. There is also baroque carving around the ramrod entry ferrule. Complete with its original figured maple ramrod. Also accompanying the rifle is a single cavity iron bullet mold and a horn powder flask stamped "GS". CONDITION: The barrel retains most of its original charcoal blue finish with scattered areas of losses, bore is excellent. Lock retains most of its original polish and blue, with some light spotting. Brass mounts retain a mellowing patina. Stock is excellent, with a few scattered storage marks. This is a very fine and desirable contemporary copy of an early American rifle made by a world-renowned gunsmith at Colonial Williamsburg.
Accessories
Power flask, Bullet Mold
Manufacturer
Wallace Gusler