December 16, 17, & 18, 2020 Field & Range Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/16/2020
George Kettering worked in Westmoreland County in Hempfield Township, Pennsylvania from 1806 to 1866. Kettering was murdered in the Gold fields in California in the mid 1800's. Kettering signed rifles are rare with less than ten known to exist. According to consignor, rifle was purchased from original owner's family in Westmoreland County and comes with pamphlet giving history of Kettering obtained from the original owner. Rifle has a 45 - 1/2" octagonal rifled barrel with a silver blade front sight and a notched rear sight, barrel signed in script "G. Kettering". Percussion lock with double set triggers with illegible name in script. Full curly maple stock with brass hardware including an engraved 4 piece patchbox with 5 piercings. Gun has 10 coin silver inlays including an engraved federal eagle on an oval on the cheekpiece and brass saddleplate. Gun has shortened sideplate and nontypical Kettering architecture to stock and with the illegible name on lock it is presumed that this could be a restock in the period with all Kettering made parts exception of the stock. CONDITION: Gun has aged patina on metal surfaces with scrub marks around signature and pitting from use around drum. Wood has traces of a dark finish with heavy usage marks. Gun has crack from tailpipe to saddle plate with ramrod being exposed. Gun is missing 2 silver oval barrel inlays. Triggers have a cocking issue. Dark bore with visible lands and grooves. Original ramrod. Rare signed rifle by a hard to find and colorful maker. DLM
Manufacturer
George Kettering