October 22-23, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/23/2019
The two stage barrel has a dovetailed silver front sight and a molded notched rear sight centered on the block. Top flat is stamped "JOHN YOUNG". The handmade diminutive lock features a roller frizzen and the front tang is tombstone shaped. The brass furniture is very ornate and includes a Lehigh County trigger guard with lug at front of bow, and ornate foliate decoration. The extended tang of the ramrod entry ferrule is engraved with scrollwork and an eagle, and has four piercings. The ornate three piece patchbox is fastened with pins. It has eight piercings and is profusely engraved with foliate scrolls. There is an engraved eagle both above and below the lid. The captured patchbox lid is signed in script "John Young Gunsmith". Each side of the forend has four silver barrel key escutcheons decorated with tooled rocker panel borders and there is a silver, pierced, and engraved eight pointed star inlaid above the cheekpiece. The toeplate has a piercing for the horn patchbox release button and is decorated with floral motifs. The full length, partially figured maple stock is of classic Lehigh County, Pennsylvania form. It has a tooled border carved in relief around the comb and foliate 'C' scrolls on both sides behind the wrist. Behind the high relief, molded cheekpiece there is a larger relief carved foliate 'C' scroll. Complete with bone-tipped wooden ramrod. CONDITION: The barrel retains a dark, heavy brown patina with some areas of heavier patina or corrosion. The lock retains a dark, heavy patina and is in its original flintlock configuration. Mechanism needs adjustment. The sideplate is a contemporary replacement but is well done and engraved en suite. The brass patchbox has one small piece replaced against buttplate on bottom, and a couple other minor repairs. Trigger guard shows wear to engraving and the patchbox lid release button does not function properly. The ramrod entry ferrule tang has been broken and repaired, and the engraving shows wear. About 27" on one side and about 35" on the other side of the forend have been professionally replaced. The foremost barrel key escutcheon on the left side is absent. Brass retains a mellow mustard patina, some surfaces with added color. The stock has also been broken completely through the wrist and repaired with one small piece replaced just in front of the comb. There is also one small piece replaced at the toe. The relief carving is crisp and may be refreshed. This is an extremely attractive and ornate double signed John Young rifle, one of the earliest rifles known by this maker and a well-published Kentucky. DMG
Caliber/Bore
.52 Smoothbore