May 13-15, 2025 Firearms and Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/13/2025
This rifle is clearly the unsigned work of maker Frederick Sell from York County, Pennsylvania. He worked between about 1790 and 1815. He later settled in Littlestown. This rifle features an octagon barrel with engraved notched rear sight and a brass front sight. The lock is Germanic in style. The brass furniture includes an engraved 4-piece patchbox, an engraved sideplate, and an engraved toeplate. The partially figured tiger maple stock has classic Frederick Sell relief scrolls behind the cheekpiece, in front of the cheekpiece, and around the wrist. There is also a relief-carved gadrooned apron around the barrel tang. Ramrod is an old replacement. CONDITION: Barrel retains a brown patina. Lock retains a heavy brown patina with some pitting in center. Lock appears to be in its original flintlock configuration. Brass has a nice mustard patina. Stock shows scattered marks from use and bruises. Some wood missing above front of lock and a small piece replaced at the toe of buttstock. A nice Kentucky rifle by a very desirable maker. PROVENENCE: This rifle is accompanied by a handwritten note from Joe Kindig, Jr. on his letterhead detailing the Frederick Sell rifle and the circumstances under which it was given. The note, dated 1970 and signed by Kindig, states that this rifle was given to Don Vaughn for catching the man who stole several of his rifles. In return, Don was given the opportunity to choose any gun to have at no cost. The note is framed. The rifle was then sold to Bruce Moyer and in 2002, was purchased by James C. Sorber for $10,500. After that, on January 6, 2006 it was sold as lot 385 at Pook and Pook Auctions.
Caliber/Bore
.65 Smoothbore
Manufacturer
Frederick Sell Attributed