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LOT 3307
Exceptional Relief Carved Wayne Watson 1982 Dated Contemporary Flintlock
American Long Rifle with Accoutrements by John Barrett - NSN, 50 cal., 42 inch octagon bbl., brown/brass/silver finish, curly maple stock. This stunning John Armstrong/Emmitsburg
School style rifle was built by Wayne P. Watson and is dated 1982 and appears to be at least in part inspired by rifle no. 205 by Armstrong in “Thoughts on the Kentucky
Rifle in Its Golden Age” by Kindig. A decade later, Watson’s renditions of Hawkeye’s Killdeer rifle were famously featured in “The Last of the Mohicans.” The straight octagon barrel has a silver blade front sight, notch rear sight with silver scroll
finial, and “19” ahead of the “W. Watson” signed on an inlaid brass plate followed by “82” on top. The brass lock plate is signed “WW” and has some simple engraving. The barrel is secured by four brass wedges passing through pairs of engraved silver escutcheons, and the forend also features fine molding. The stock has scroll carving at the upper tang, gadroon and scroll patterns carved ahead of the flats, drop flats with silver heart inlays, a silver oval wrist escutcheon inscribed
with Watson’s initials “WPW”, scroll carving ahead of the Armstrong style patchbox which
features appropriate engraving, an engraved toe plate with a pair of heart shaped piercings and silver inlays, the rear inlay serving as the patchbox button, engraved buttplate with coordinating
engraved heel extension featuring a silver heart piercing and inlay, scroll carving on the left side ahead of and behind the cheekpiece, a brass ringed silver
oval cheekpiece inlay with “Liberty” over a spread-wing eagle and shield, and another engraved silver inlay below the cheekpiece. The rifle is accompanied by an “antiqued” accoutrement set that is noted as all made by noted contemporary artisan John Barrett. The set consists of a leather shot pouch with attached powder horn and priming horn both with “Liberty” and “1779” among the designs, carved powder measure, pick and brush set, another carved vent pick/measure, small carved bullet board, flints, and bone handled knife in a sheath fitted along the back of the pouch. A 2001 Lord Nelson’s Gallery appraisal for the rifle indicates it formerly belonged to Robert and Jeanne Walter of New Buffalo, Michigan. CONDITION: Very fine overall. This contemporary rifle has a genuine antique appearance with smooth brown finish on the barrel, aged patina on the silver and brass, distinct engraving and markings, crisp carving, minor flint mark by the breech, and mostly minor age and storage related wear. Mechanically fine. This is a beautiful rifle by the maker of the Killdeer rifle from the film, “The Last of the Mohicans”! Provenance: The Robert and Jeanne Walter Collection; Property of a Gentleman. Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 3308
Beautiful Engraved and Carved Jacob Sell Contemporary Flintlock American Long Rifle by Jack S. Brooks - NSN, 54 cal., 44 inch octagon bbl., blue/bright finish, curly maple stock. This beautiful rifle was built by talented and well-respected contemporary gunmaker Jack S. Brooks of Colorado. See rifles 181 and 183 in “Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle in Its Golden Age” by Kindig to see the Jacob Sell the younger rifles that inspired the build. The rifled barrel has a silver blade front sight with brass dovetailed base, a dovetailed notch rear sight, “JS BROOKS” signed behind the rear sight and “made for Richard Henry Sell June 1, 2000” ahead of the rear sight, and a drilled vent. The silver wrist escutcheon is inscribed with the initials “RHS”, and the silver cheekpiece inlay has a spread wing eagle. The remaining furniture is brass and have scroll and floral engraving. The patch box itself is a work of art. The full-length maple stock has very nice carved molding, incised scroll designs at the midsection, raised relief scroll carving in the style of the Sell family. CONDITION: Very fine overall with 98% plus original blue finish, some patina forming on the otherwise bright lock, nice aged patina on the brass, crisp engraving and carving, and very minor handling and storage wear. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
LOT 3309
Engraved, Silver Inlaid, and Relief Carved Bedford Style Contemporary American Long Rifle by Don King in 1982 - NSN, 32 cal., 43 7/8 inch octagon bbl., brown/bright/silver finish, curly maple stock. Respected contemporary muzzleloading rifle maker Don King (1930-2018) served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a corporal and was awarded the Purple Heart after being wounded at the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. He built high quality traditional muzzleloading rifles for decades and was awarded the Contemporary Longrifle Association’s Pioneer Award in 2010. The barrel is signed “D. King 1982” and has dovetailed blade and notch sights. The distinctive Bedford style lock has “DK” on a gold inlay at the center and light engraving. The main furniture is brass with fine engraving, and the rifle is also fitted with several engraved silver inlays including a spread wing eagle on the cheekpiece and there are silver wire inlays at the ramrod entry pipe and bottom of the buttstock. The beautifully figured stock also has some incised and relief carving, including very attractive scroll designs behind the cheekpiece. CONDITION: Excellent with minor age and storage related wear, slight oxidation at the vent, attractive aged patina on the silver inlays and brass furniture, and crisp engraving and signatures. The stock is also excellent and displays beautiful flame figure, crisp carving, and minimal light handling and storage marks. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,500
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