December 6-8, 2023 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/7/2023
The wrist escutcheon is inscribed "JK", presumably for Jacob Kunz or Kuntz. The rifle has an unmarked smoothbore octagon barrel. The lock is marked "C. BIRD / & Co. / PHILADA / WARRANTED" in the center. The brass furniture includes a pierced 4-piece patchbox with profuse foliate scroll engraving and shading in the hand of Jacob Kunz. The sideplate terminates in an arrow and is engraved with foliate scrolls. There is an oval-shaped silver wrist escutcheon inscribed "JK" and an engraved silver 8-point star above the cheekpiece. There are engraved ovoid escutcheons around each brass barrel key. The stock is of classic and streamlined Lehigh County form. The wrist has basket weave checkering and the left side of the stock has a checkered panel with a relief carved American Federal Eagle in the center with a relief border and daisy to its left. There is another matching daisy carved on the left side of the cheekpiece. Classic Lehigh County stylized flier-de-lis incise carved behind ramrod entry ferrule. The rifle is a fine work of art. CONDITION: Barrel retains an applied contemporary brown finish, and 21" of barrel and wood on forend have been restored. Lock is a reconversion and retains a brown patina with some added finish. Stock and carving show wear and have been refinished with a high gloss finish. Brass retains a mostly mellow patina. A high set rifle by one of the great makers.
Caliber/Bore
.48 Smoothbore