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LOT 3282
Extraordinary Documented Jacob Snider Percussion Rifle with Extensive Engraved German Silver Inlays - NSN, 45 cal., 44 inch
octagon bbl., brown/German silver finish, curly maple stock. This rifle is on the cover of “Gunsmiths of Bedford, Fulton, Huntingdon, & Somerset Counties” by Whisker and Yantz and is also featured on pages 140 and 141. It is certainly one of the most extravagant rifles from that region of Pennsylvania. The rifled barrel has traditional blade and notch sights, “J * Snider” signed on top, floral engraving, and a short tang secured with two screws. The lock is also signed “J. Snider” and has scroll and border engraving. The rifle is equipped with double set triggers and engraved German silver furniture, and the curly maple stock has an extraordinary number of engraved German silver inlays covering much of the surface from muzzle to butt. The cheekpiece inlay features a Union Jack over a lion with a shield with St. George’s
Cross and a bald eagle with the Stars and Stripes and Columbia’s shield. The theme suggests the rifle was made in conjunction for an event involving the United Kingdom and the United States. Jacob Snider/Snyder (1821-1875) of Liberty Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania, was an apprentice of George Fay. Snider later moved to Georgetown, Colorado, where he mined silver, speculated, and invested in banking. Jack Bishop (a former member of the James Gang) knocked him down and shot him dead after losing a court case to Snider over a conflicting mining claim involving the adjacent Pelican (Snider) and Dives (leased by Bishop) silver mines. Snider left a significant fortune to his younger brother Tobias Snider (1830-1916) who was also a gunmaker back in Liberty Township and Saxton, Bedford County, Pennsylvania. CONDITION: Fine with crisp engraving and markings, gray and brown patina on the barrel, light flash pitting, attractive aged patina on the German silver furniture and inlays, and general mild overall wear. The refinished stock is also fine and has mild scratches and dings, some faint cracks and repairs including a pinned crack above the nose of the lock, and attractive flame figure. Mechanically fine (set trigger first). Estimate: 8,500 - 13,000
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AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK GUNSMITHS OF BEDFORD, FULTON, HUNTINGDON & SOMERSET COUNTIES BY WHISKER & YANTZ