January 16, 2020 The Susquehanna Collection
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/16/2020
For a signed John Young pistol with a nearly identical sideplate, see "The Kentucky Pistol" page 153, by Chandler and Whisker. This rifle is one of only a few surviving examples made by John Young in Easton, Pennsylvania. The full length, octagon barrel is rifled and features a silver front sight and an oversized iron rear sight with a folding leaf. There is a gold band inlaid at the breech, as well as two gold cartouches which have been observed on several signed John Young rifles. The flat, engraved lockplate is stamped "LONDON / WARRANTED" in the center. The brass furniture includes an ornate, pierced, and engraved four piece patchbox decorated with scrolls and floral designs. There is an engraved and pierced silver inlay featuring a full figured lion above the cheekpiece. Two piece silver sideplate with an engraved and pierced bird below the rear lock retaining screw. The brass trigger guard is inlaid with an engraved silver Allentown Indian head extending from the front finial. There are silver escutcheons on both sides which cover the barrel keys. The full length highly figured maple stock has checkering around the wrist and is engraved with relief scrolls on both sides as well as behind the cheekpiece. Complete with a replaced wooden ramrod. CONDITION: Barrel retains a heavy brown patina with evidence of reconversion at the breech. Reconverted lock is a replacement. This rifle has seen extensive restoration including a replaced toeplate, added or refreshed silver inlays, and questionable age to the relief carved designs. Rifle has a later coat of finish and shows extensive wear the wrist checkering, which the relief designs show little or no wear. There is wood replaced on both sides of the barrel tang, a few pieces around the lock, a long sliver in front of the front lock tang, and a few inches on both sides of the forestock towards the nosecap. This is a very decorative example in the style of John Young.
Manufacturer
John Young - Attributed
Model
Flintlock Kentucky Rifle