January 16, 2020 The Susquehanna Collection
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/16/2020
For another example made by the same hand with very similar carving behind the cheekpiece, see rifle number 76 on page 203 of "Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle in its Golden Age" by Joe Kindig, Jr. Kindig attributes this gun to Wolfgang Haga and states it was made in the Reading area. This example has a full length, smoothbore, octagonal barrel with sights mounted on the top flat. The flat lockplate is inscribed "Ketland & Co" in the center. The rifle has an early four piece brass patchbox retained by screws and featuring a Fleur-de-Lis finial. The patchbox release button is located on top of the faceted buttplate tang. Early faceted Bucks County trigger guard with wide bow. Sideplate of early Berks County form with beveled edges. There is an eight point brass star retained by a screw in the center located above the cheekpiece. The cheekpiece is inlaid with a brass plaque inscribed "J*GUTING". A document that accompanies this rifle shows a copy of a page from "Berks County Births 1705-1800, Vol III 1770-1780" by HP Publishing in Reading, Pennsylvania. It shows that John Jacob Gutin was born on July 17th, 1764 in Rockland Township. This rifle features a highly figured maple stock of early Berks County form with a Roman nose buttstock, a relief carved shell around the ramrod entry ferrule; a relief carved, stylized Fleur-de-Lis around the barrel tang, and relief 'C' scrolls behind the cheekpiece. There is a large, period, tin repair around the forend about 12-1/2" from the muzzle. Complete with its original ramrod. CONDITION: Barrel retains sharp edges and a smooth, brown patina overall with some corrosion towards the breech. Lock retains a dark, heavy, brown patina and is in its original flintlock configuration. Brass has been lacquered and retains a mellow, mustard patina. Stock retains much original finish and shows scattered marks from use and some minor losses around the lock, barrel tang, and along forend. This rifle has had no restoration to the stock. Carvings show some wear around barrel tang and ramrod entry ferrule. A very nice, early identified Reading rifle. PROVENANCE: Ex Hollis E. Brodrick Collection (letter included); Ex Garvin Collection.
Caliber/Bore
.55 Smoothbore
Model
Flintlock Kentucky Rifle