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LOT 283
Exceptional Sterling Silver Mounted, Engraved, and Relief Carved Flintlock American Longrifle Dated 1959 and
Documented as William Buchele’s First Rifle - NSN, 42 cal., 42 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish, curly maple stock. This
rifle is accompanied by a framed photograph of William Buchele (1895-1977) working in his shop. On the back of the frame is adhered a copy of a letter from Buchele to Fred Beck dated July 7, 1975, in which he writes: “The silver mounted rifle with my name on it, and dated 1959 was the first rifle
that I made. The buttplate and trigger guard are solid sterling silver, which I collected and had cast for me. You may feel free to describe it as the first rifle made by me.”This rifle is shown in the header. Buchele was active building an array of beautiful American longrifles up until shortly before his death in 1977 and also produced powder horns, tomahawks, and other related items. In addition to being a talented and early “contemporary” builder, he also wrote the book “Recreating the American Longrifle,” a book still widely recommended to new muzzleloading rifle builders decades later. This rifle is absolutely astounding when you consider that it was Buchele’s first rifle and features beautifully executed carving, engraving, and inletting. The blued barrel features traditional blade and notch sights and floral scroll engraving at the muzzle and breech. The heat colored lock is marked “H.W. MORTIMER” and has some scroll engraving. The furniture is silver and features additional floral scroll engraving, and the patchbox features eagles on the side plates and “Wm Buchele/GUNSMITH/1959” on the lid. The release button is in the toeplate. The highly curled stock has a mix of incised and raised relief carved scroll patterns and incised molding. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine overall with only minor handling and storage marks on the metal and stock. Mechanically fine (set trigger first). Provenance: William Buchele; The Fred Beck Collection; Property of a Gentleman. Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 284
William Buchele’s Personal Engraved and Relief Carved Half-Stock Flintlock Rifle Along with His Personal Engraved Powder Horn, Both Dated 1961 - NSN, 45 cal., 32 1/8 inch octagon bbl., bright finish, curly maple stock. The patchbox lid is inscribed “Wm. Buchele/his gun/made by him/1961” and is engraved
with a bow and arrow design. The wrist escutcheon is also inscribed with his initials. The lock has “Buchele/1959,” and the side plate is actually another modified lockplate and is marked “Buchele/1961.” The barrel is equipped with a Marble 31W beaded blade front and a Marble’s adjustable sporting rear sight and also has taps with screws towards the breech and a
removable vent liner. The furniture is nickel silver and features some floral engraving, and the curly maple stock has some incised molding and attractive relief carving, including raised relief scrolls flowing off of the cheekpiece, and the latter has an eagle and shield engraved oval inlay. The front trigger presses forward to set the rear trigger. The horn is inscribed “Wm
Buchele Powder Horn/his horn made by him/1961” and features an engraved battle scene labeled “Wayne at Fallen Timbers” and a map of the forts north of the Ohio River with “Peace Treaty” and a peace pipe to the side. The wood base plug
is carved in relief with a Native American bust and inscribed “CHIEF BLUE JACKET SHAWNEE.” The fittings are nickel silver. The lower
ring for the strap is an oak leaf and acorns, and the top mount is formed by a pair of tomahawks. CONDITION: Fine with attractive light aged patina on the nickel silver furniture, crisp engraving and markings, gray and brown patina on the barrel, heat blue
on the lock, refaced frizzen, and generally mild wear. The stock has faint repaired cracks at the tail of the lock and is otherwise also fine and has attractive figure, crisp carving,
and minor wear. Mechanically fine. The horn is also fine with minor wear. Overall, a fantastic set from one of the early contemporary muzzleloading pioneers. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 285
Very Ornate Engraved, Inlaid, and Relief Carved 20th Century Flintlock American Long Rifle by William
Buchele, Author of “Recreating the American Longrifle” - NSN, 45 cal., 42 inch octagon bbl., antique brown finish, curly maple stock. William Buchele was one of the most significant earlier “contemporary” American riflemakers in the 20th century and wrote “Recreating the American Longrifle” which has served as a guide for generations of subsequent builders and has helped keep the crafting of traditional American muzzle-loaders alive. The rifle has traditional blade and notch sights, “W Buchele” signed on the top flat with some decorative engraved accents, unmarked lock, brass furniture with nice engraving, a horse and “LIBERTY OR DEATH” inscribed on the pierced side plate, inlaid accents with engraving including an elaborate patriotic eagle motif with wire inlaid accents on the cheekpiece, “FL” inscribed on the wrist escutcheon, and a highly figured curly maple stock with raised relief carving, floral patterns at the breech and wrist, and a raised relief carved Native American with brass head tomahawk, inlaid band in his hair, and a checkered background on the left side. CONDITION: Very fine with minor age and storage related wear. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
LOT 286 Attractive Engraved and Inlaid Pipe Tomahawk by William Buchele, Author of “Recreating the American Longrifle” - Similar tomahawks are known to date to the mid-late 18th century and into the early 19th century. This example was made by the well-known maker William Buchele (1895- 1977), who was also the author of the book “Recreating the American Longrifle.” Buchele was a talented craftsman who created many examples of American longrifles, tomahawks/belt-axes, and scrimshawed powder horns. The head on this example is mostly iron with attractive filework, “W. Buchele” signed on the right side, scroll/floral engraving, and brass bowl and accents. The smooth curly maple shaft has a German silver eagle on one side, two fish on the opposite side, two double arrows, and wire inlays with brass inlaid blooms. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine with a mix of “antique finish”, aged patina, and minor overall wear. Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750