October 30, 2019 The Collection of Steve & Marcy Hench
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/30/2019
This rifle is extremely well-made and has a significant amount of detail and embellishments, including much use of bone decoration such as a compass star. Made perhaps for a local Native American. The smooth rifle has a two-stage thick-walled barrel with decorated applied brass teardrop front sight and notched rear sight. The top of the barrel, near the breech is stamped "JOHN DERR/WARRANTED". The lock is marked with partially visible "JOSEPH GOLCHER" in the center, features include a roller-frizzen. Brass furniture including classic four-piece John Derr patchbox retained screws. Brass sideplate with beveled edges, brass wear plate on bottom of forend, brass triggerguard with loop behind rear tang for decorative feathers, brass buttplate and brass endcap. There are eleven bone inlays, some engraved and colored, on the stock including eight on the toe, a bone tack behind the lock and the sideplate, and a large eight-pointed star above the cheekpiece. Highly figured walnut half-stock with incise-carved designs and stars above and below the patchbox as well as a series of relief panels on the convex toe. CONDITION: Very good overall showing little use. Barrel retains an applied brown surface with some light pitting and wear. The lock retains a similar surface. Stock excellent showing only light storage marks, edges are crisp and most of original finish remains. Brass is polished and shows little wear. Bone inlays are excellent. A very attractive and ornate rifle for Indian presentation, although probably never presented.
Caliber/Bore
.57 Smoothbore