May 28 & 29, 2020 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/28/2020
Samuel Stull was an Ohio gunsmith who lived between 1808 and 1907. He was a farmer and a gunsmith and began making rifles at a very young age, reportedly at age 12. He spent his entire life on a farm located about 1 - 3/4 miles south of Millwood in Knox County, Ohio. He reportedly used to walk to Canton and purchase barrel blanks, which he carried home on his back. He likely farmed in the summer and practiced gunsmithing during the winter months. In 1952, 125 Stull rifles were on exhibit at the Mt. Vernon Armory. The rifle has a three stage thick walled barrel with a brass and silver front blade sight and a notched rear sight. Partially visible signature is inscribed on the top flat near the breech. The flat lockplate is engraved near the tail with a bird and in the center it is stamped "WILLM HOLLIS". There is a brass shield around the nipple. The rifle has a total of ten engraved sterling silver inlays including four on each side of the forend, an oval wrist escutcheon, and a large oval inlay engraved with a patriotic eagle above the cheek piece. The rifle has a large and impressive engraved four piece patchbox on the right side of the buttstock with eleven piercings. The brass trigger guard and ramrod ferrules are faceted. The patch box release button is located towards the rear of the tombstone shaped toeplate. The inside of the patch box lid is inscribed "G. Long Steubenville" this was probably the owner's name. This rifle has a full length stock of figured maple in the typical mid 18th century Ohio style. Complete with its original wooden ramrod. CONDITION: Barrel has an overall pitted surface and retains a dark patina. Signature is very light and only partially visible. Some heavy corrosion near breech and bolster. Lock retains a pitted brown surface and mechanism needs adjusting, as the hammer does not hold on cock. One small oval inlay is missing on the right side of the forestock. Silver inlays retain a mellowing patina and some pins have been replaced. Brass furniture retains a mellowing patina and shows some scattered denting and wear. Patch box lid has been broken and repaired near the hinge. Stock shows scattered marks from use, a crack stemming from the nose cap and extending into the ramrod channel, and there are few other scattered marks from use. A very nice Ohio rifle by a quality maker. DMG
Caliber/Bore
.56 Smoothbore