January 16, 2020 The Susquehanna Collection
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/16/2020
This rifle is featured on page 123 of "Gunsmiths of York County" by James B. Whisker. It is also shown on page 131 of "Behold the Longrifle, Again" by James B. Whisker. The rifle features a full-length, octagonal smoothbore barrel with brass front sight and iron rear sight. It is inscribed "Jacob * Sell" on the top flat. The flat lockplate has beveled edges and a stepped molding at the tang. The finely engraved brass furniture includes a four piece patchbox with a pierced finial and extensive 'C' scroll engraving and borders. The hidden patchbox release is located towards the back of the top skirt and is incorporated into the engraved designs. The rifle has a finely engraved toeplate. The flat sideplate is engraved with rocker panel borders and other designs around the screws. Trigger guard bow is also engraved with borders and shading. The figured maple stock is of classic York County form and features a relief acanthus leaf around the barrel tang, ornate relief scrolls around the ramrod entry ferrule, a sleeved comb with floral scrolls on both sides of the wrist, a floral scroll with checkering below the cheekpiece and an unusual design behind the cheekpiece of a checkered diamond within an oval surrounded by smaller scrolls. Similar designs can be found on other Jacob Sell rifles. Rifle is complete with a replaced wooden ramrod. CONDITION: Barrel retains a brown patina with some scattered areas of heavier patina and scattered marks from use. Rear sight is a contemporary replacement and an area behind the block has been filled. Barrel shows corrosion at breech. Signature is crisp. The lock is a good, professional reconversion. Brass furniture retains a mustard patina and shows some scattered marks from use. The patchbox lid is a replacement and a piece has been repaired or replaced on the buttplate tang and has been dovetailed in, perhaps during the period. Stock shows a few slivers replaced around the lockplate and some filling and replaced pieces in front of the trigger guard tang, where it appears the stock was once broken in two. There is also some filling on front of the sideplate tang. About 8-1/2" of stock is professionally replaced on the right side, and about 5-1/2" professionally replaced on the other. All of the professional restoration on this gun is very well done and is not easily visible. This is a very well carved and attractive signed Jacob Sell rifle.
Caliber/Bore
.54 Smoothbore
Model
Flintlock Kentucky Rifle