October 22-23, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/23/2019
This rifle dates about 1820 and was probably made in northern Lehigh County by gunsmith Jacob George. The heavy, octagonal, rifled barrel is unsigned but is stamped "HESS" on the underside. The rear sight is finely engraved with stiff leaf engraving, dovetailed brass front sight. The lockplate is stamped "WARRANTED" in the center and decorated with sprigs of engraving at the tail. The brass furniture includes and elaborate four piece patchbox with two piercings on the finial and a finely engraved banner on the lid inscribed with the initials "J * S". The oval shaped wrist escutcheon has a double line border and is inscribed with a "G". There is a pierced eight point star inlaid above the cheekpiece and it is engraved with shading on each point. Below the cheekpiece is a brass tube for a touch hole pick. The full sideplate is engraved with folky designs and a floral design. There is a pierced, inlaid, and engraved extension in front of and behind the trigger guard, as well as at the toe and behind the ramrod entry ferrule. This rifle has a significant amount of well engraved and shaped brass inlays. Full length plain maple stock with generous traces of Lehigh violin finish. Complete with its original ramrod. CONDITION: Barrel retains a spotted brown patina with some corrosion near breech. Lock has been reconverted to flintlock configuration. Retains an applied brown finish. Brass retains a mellowing polished mustard patina with some scattered marks. Stock retains traces of original finish as well as a later coat of finish, a few scattered marks, and one minor hairline crack in front of lock tang. A very nice Lehigh rifle. DMG
Manufacturer
Jacob George, Attributed