April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/24/2019
This fine and accurate copy is in the style of a John Armstrong rifle. The brown octagonal barrel is mounted on the top flat with sights and an inlaid brass plaque inscribed "JERRY GUTCHESS 84". The flat lockplate is finely engraved with scroll accents and marked in the center "AG", for Alan Gutchess, who made the lock. The brass furniture includes a four-piece patch box with three piercings and engraved with finely executed scrollwork. The buttplate has a faceted tang and is engraved as well. The trigger guard is engraved an edelweiss on the bow and is decorated with a silver overlay, engraved with a star. The flat brass sideplate is engraved with rocker paneled borders and with scrollwork in the center. A silver heart adorns each side of the wrist and an oval wrist escutcheon on the top. There is a silver oval inlaid above the cheek piece, engraved with a patriotic eagle. Two engraved eight-pointed stars are inlaid into the forend. The full length figured maple stock is of classic Maryland form, in the style of Armstrong, and is highly carved with relief carving around the barrel tang, lock cavity, sideplate, and profusely on the left side of the butt stock. Forward of the lock cavity and sideplate are panels of shaped gadrooning carved in relief. The rifle features a brass tipped wooden ramrod. CONDITION: Excellent, showing very little use overall. Barrel retains all of its original finish, and the bore is excellent. The browned lock retains all of its original finish as well and functions perfectly. Brass retains a mellowing patina. Stock is excellent and shows no signs of wear or damage. One screw missing from engraved toe plate. This is an extremely fine and well made contemporary long rifle.
Manufacturer
Jerry Gutchess