April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/24/2019
According to the Kentucky Rifle Foundation Website, John Shell (1795-1875) was taxed as a gunsmith in West Hanover Township, east of Harrisburg, between 1817 and 1871. He built fine flintlocks and percussion rifles and was one of the few makers to number his rifles as well as sign them. He was also one of the few in the Lebanon/Dauphin region to carry the traditional style of gun building beyond the Civil War period. His father was Martin Shell, one of the grandmasters of the Dauphin County school. The rifle features a fully octagonal barrel signed "JOHN * SHELL" in block letters surrounded by borders. The flat flintlock lockplate is signed "KELKER & ROSE / HARRISBURG" and the tail is engraved with game scenes. Features include a reinforced cock and a roller frizzen. Brass furniture includes a finely engraved four piece patchbox, a pierced finial terminating in an Edelweiss. The lid and side straps are engraved with stars. Toeplate and trigger guard and forearm wear plate engraved en suite. The left side of the stock is inlaid with an engraved half moon with face above three smaller inlays engraved with stars and connect by silver wire inlay. There is a small vacant German silver oval wrist escutcheon and six silver barrel pin escutcheons engraved with stars. The buttplate finial is also engraved. This highly decorated rifle has a flat sideplate engraved with floral designs and "No. 346". Rifle features a slender, full length figured maple stock and a rope burn decorated hickory ramrod. Bottom of buttstock is fluted on both sides, followed by an incised line. CONDITION: Very good. The barrel retains a spotted light brown patina with some edge wear. The lock retains a grey patina and is in its original flintlock configuration. Mechanism is strong and functions well. Patchbox lid appears to be a professional replacement. Brass furniture retains a mellow patina and engraving is excellent. Stocks retains much original finish with some finish probably added later, and a few minor slivers along both sides of barrel that have been professionally replaced and are very difficult to see. This is a very fine and highly decorated Pennsylvania long rifle.
Caliber/Bore
.44 Smoothbore
Model
Flintlock Kentucky Rifle