January 16, 2020 The Susquehanna Collection
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/16/2020
Jacob Metzger is first listed as a gunsmith in the tax records of Lancaster Borough in 1777 where he worked for just over ten years before moving to Frederick, Maryland where he bought property in 1788. There are very few examples of Metzger's work. The smoothbore, octagon barrel has a brass front sight and an iron notched rear sight. The flat lockplate has beveled edges and a deep flute towards the tail. Brass furniture includes an engraved four piece patchbox, a toeplate with simple borders engraved on it, and a flat sideplate which is a replacement. There is a silver oval shaped wrist escutcheon with a rocker panel engraved border, and a rocker panel engraved eight point star above the cheekpiece. The partially figured maple stock shows Lancaster influence and has relief panels around the lock and sideplate, as well as a relief stylized shell around the barrel tang, and well executed 'C' scrolls in relief behind the cheekpiece. There are incised scrolls beneath the cheekpiece on both sides of the wrist and on both sides of the forend at the ramrod entry ferrule. Complete with its original ramrod. CONDITION: Barrel retains a brown patina with scattered denting and heavy corrosion at the breech. Lock is a contemporary replacement and retains a matching applied patina. Sideplate is a replacement. Brass retains a mostly undisturbed, dark patina. Buttplate is missing the screw in the back. Stock shows some heavy wear and marks from use and shows much original dark finish. A possible repair has been covered with dark finish around the wrist. This is a very attractive Lancaster rifle by an important and early gunsmith.
Caliber/Bore
.49 Smoothbore
Manufacturer
Jacob Metzger - Attributed
Model
Flintlock Kentucky Rifle