December 10-13, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/11/2024
This early Lehigh County rifle features an octagon barrel inscribed "John Moll" on the top flat. The flat lockplate is Germanic in style. The brass furniture includes an engraved two piece patchbox with raised panel lid and classic stylized fleur-de-lis Moll finial. There are incised scrolls above and below the patchbox lid, imitating and pre-dating patchbox skirts. Classic early convex Lehigh sideplate terminating in an arrow finial. Large engraved silver eight point star above cheekpiece and an engraved oval wrist escutcheon. The figured tiger maple stock is of pure and early Lehigh County form. There is extensive relief carving on the left side of the buttstock behind the cheekpiece. There is also relief carving on both sides behind wrist, around lock and sideplate, and surrounding the barrel tang. There is an incise carved Allentown Indian head in front of the triggerguard finial. CONDITION: Barrel has a section that has been cleaned both at the muzzle end and at the breech to expose the signature, some pitting at breech. Lock is a reconversion. Brass retains a dull mustard patina. Front tang of triggerguard has been replaced. The front 41-1/2" of the forend have been restored long ago and the joint has separated. A very attractive and early signed John Moll I rifle.
Caliber/Bore
.54 Smoothbore