December 13-15, 2022 Collectible Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/14/2022
First half of the 19th century, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Melchior Fordney was famously murdered by a man named John Haggerty, a crazed religious fanatic in 1846. Fordney denied him the use of one of his rifles to shoot his horse and Haggerty returned with a tomahawk and murdered him and other family members. His trial was the first time in United States history that the insanity plea was used. Haggerty was convicted and hanged. Fordney is remembered today as a grand master of the late golden age, Fordney’s work often is seen with deep, bold engraving and beautiful woodcarving. His guns are known as quintessential Lancaster rifles, with their folk art appeal and inclusion of almost all of the Lancaster characteristics. He worked as a gunsmith from 1807 through 1846 at his shop on South Queen Street in downtown Lancaster, Pennsylvania. This rifle features an octagonal barrel inscribed "M*Fordney" on the top flat. Flat lockplate stamped "DREPPERT" in the center and features stamp-engraved designs. Brass furniture deeply engraved in the typical Fordney style, sideplate engraved with checkered triangles, stars, and borders. 4-piece horse head patchbox with engraved rocker-panel designs, scrolls, and straight-line shading. Unengraved toe plate a probable replacement. The silver wrist escutcheon is vacant. Full-length highly figured maple stock of familiar Lancaster form with incised vine and berry border along bottom of both sides of buttstock. Scrolls on both sides of wrist and ornate and extensive scrolls and chevrons carved on left side of buttstock. CONDITION: Barrel retains a dark brown patina with some scattered light pitting towards breech and signature is very good. Lock professionally reconverted to flintlock configuration and now retains a brown patina. Brass retains a pleasing mustard patina. Stock has been broken and repaired and there are some cracks towards muzzle on the forend. One minor 1/8 x 2" splinter replaced on left side. This is a very nice and elaborate signed example of Melchior Fordney's work. DMG
Caliber/Bore
.50 smoothbore
Manufacturer
Melchoir Fordney