September 5-7, 2023 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/6/2023
In the style of John Rupp or Jacob Kuntz, this delicate rifle has an octagon barrel signed with what appears to be "JR" with engraved designs on both sides. Brass front sight and notched rear sight. Flat Germanic lockplate with beveled edges and molding at tail. Roller frizzen. The brass furniture includes a 2-piece patchbox with finely engraved shaped checkered panels on the finial and foliate designs on the lid. Incise-carved designs on the stock are found above and below the lid. Engraved toeplate with engraved rectangular patchbox release button. Brass saddle wear plate on forestock extends from trigger guard to ramrod entry ferrule. Engraved escutcheons around both lock retaining screws. Oval-shaped silver wrist escutcheon with engraved initials "CD" and a pierced and engraved 8-point star on left side of the buttstock above the cheekpiece. Multi-faceted nosecap. Highly figured maple stock of classic Lehigh County form and an unusual panel of incised designs behind the cheekpiece along with a classic Lehigh/Bucks design around the barrel tang, reminiscent of that found on Moravian rifles. Ramrod is a replacement. CONDITION: Barrel shows evidence of a bolster perviously in place. Lock probably a second lock and frizzen spring is a later replacement. Brass retains a pleasing mustard patina. Forend shows some hard-to-discern professional restoration. Some restoration and murky dark finish below lock. A fine Lehigh rifle with attractive form. From the Louie Parker Collection.
Caliber/Bore
.52 Smoothbore