January 16, 2020 The Susquehanna Collection
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/16/2020
The Moll family worked in the Allentown, Pennsylvania area in Northampton County. John Moll Jr. was born in 1773 and died in 1867. He carried on the family gunsmith business located on North 7th Street in Allentown after his father died in 1795. He worked until 1820, when he sold his business to his son, John Moll III. This pistol dates towards the end of his gunmaking career. The brass octagonal smoothbore barrel is signed "John Moll, Jr." on the top flat, towards the breech, in script. There are concentric circles inscribed on the muzzle face and an iron notched rear sight and brass blade sight mounted on top. The lock is decorated with engraved designs and stamped "S. MOORE / WARRANTED" in the center. It features a roller frizzen. The brass furniture includes a pommel cap, faceted triggerguard terminating in an arrowhead finial and a sideplate with beveled edges. The pistol also has a brass trigger and an open-ended brass nosecap. The plain maple stock is of Lehigh form and retains its original violin finish often encountered in the Allentown area. CONDITION: Very good, overall, showing very little use. This pistol is completely untouched and the barrel retains a dark, unpolished mustard patina with sharp edges and crisp signature, some green residue around touch-hole from use. Lock is original and in its original flintlock configuration. Brass furniture is unpolished and shows crisp edges. Stock very good with its original finish and only some scattered minor flaking to finish and minor storage marks. Original wooden ramrod still retains its iron worm at the tip. A very fine signed Kentucky pistol in remarkable condition.
Caliber/Bore
.40 Smoothbore
Manufacturer
John Moll Jr.
Model
Flintlock Kentucky Pistol