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LOT 3310
Engraved, Silver Inlaid, and Relief Carved Bedford Style Contemporary American Long Rifle by Don King in 1968 - NSN, 36 cal., 43 3/4 inch octagon bbl., brown/silver/bright
finish, curly maple stock. The barrel is signed “D. King 1968” followed by “T. Shaw His Rifle” on a silver inlay and “Wichita” and a crossed tomahawk and arrow on another inlay on the upper left and has dovetailed blade and notch sights, inlaid silver bands, and light engraving. The distinctive Bedford style lock has “D.K.” signed on a silver oval inlay at the center and light engraving. The main furniture is brass with fine engraving, and the rifle is also fitted with numerous engraved silver inlays including an “S” inscribed wrist escutcheon and spread wing eagle on the cheekpiece. The beautifully figured stock also has some incised and relief carving, including scrolls on the butt with brass inlays. U.S. Marine Corps veteran and gunmaker Don King (1930-2018) was a talented and well-respected maker and was awarded the Contemporary Longrifle Association’s Pioneer Award in 2010. CONDITION: Very fine with an antique appearance from some honest age, some minor surface oxidation mainly at the breech and on the lock, crisp s, and fairly mild overall wear. The stock is also very fine and has beautiful figure, crisp carving, and light handling and storage marks. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 3311 Engraved Hacker Martin 20th Century Flintlock American Long Rifle - NSN, 42 cal., 44 inch octagon bbl., brown finish, maple stock. Theodore Hacker Martin (1895-1970) was an airplane mechanic in World War I and learned to build guns the traditional Appalachian way from old timers in the 1920s. He is one of the 20th century craftsmen credited with keeping the tradition
of hand built traditional American flintlock muzzle-loaders alive and was an inspiration for many of the
artisans working today. Many of Martin’s rifles are crafted entirely from hand made parts. This rifle is accompanied by a letter from Turner E. Kirkland,
ounder of Dixie Gun Works, indicating this rifle was previously owned by John Manning and was made for him by Hacker Martin c. 1948-1951. The rifle is also accompanied by additional information, including magazines featuring articles about Martin and his rifles. The barrel has traditional blade and notch sights
and is stamped “HACKER MARTIN” on top. The lock is unmarked and is fired using double set triggers. The furniture is brass, and the rifle features nickel silver inlays along the stock; both feature wavy ling engraving, and the patchbox lid also has a running dog or fox. A vent pick is fitted under the cheekpiece.
CONDITION: Very good with minor overall wear. The stock is good and has some small chips and repaired cracks in the forend. Mechanically fine (set trigger first). Provenance: The John Manning Collection; The Turner E. Kirkland Collection; Property of a Gentleman. Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
LOT 3312
Engraved, Inlaid, and Relief Carved “Johnson City School” 20th Century Percussion American Long Rifle - NSN, 50 cal., 39 inch octagon bbl., antique brown finish, maple stock. The barrel features traditional blade and notch sights and what appears to be “A. Mier” or “A. Moor” signed on top. “L. Smith “ is stamped on the antique lock which appears to have originally had Golcher markings. The rifle is equipped with double set triggers and features classic “Johnson City School” inlays and brass furniture with wavy line engraving and a variety of patterns, including a spread wing eagle and shield motif on the patchbox finial, quadrupole pierced wear plate, and a silver hunter’s star on the cheekpiece. The stock has a dark finish and incised floral carving. A small round brass inlay marked “5” is ahead of the trigger guard finial. Lester Smith (1920-1970) apprenticed under Hacker Martin and is said to be Martin’s favorite apprentice as laid out in “Foxfire 5” which also notes, “Lester Smith could inlay metal to wood as perfect as any man alive. He was a master engraver, and his work in his late years can be found in some of the best collections of the country.” CONDITION: Fine with minor age and storage related wear, some older wear visible under the finish on the lock and barrel, modified/repaired barrel tang, and crisp carving. Mechanically fine (trigger must be set first). Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 3313
Engraved and Inlaid
Contemporary
Percussion “Kentucky Pistol” by Lester Smith - NSN, 45 cal., 9 1/8 inch octagon bbl., antiqued finish, curly maple stock. Lester Smith (1920-1970) was
one of the best gunmakers of the 20th century “Johnson City School” in Tennessee and is listed in Foxfire 5 as Hacker Martin’s favorite apprentice. His firearms exhibit intricate engraving, carving, and accents. This pistol is a nice example of his work and is signed “Lester Smith” in cursive along the top of the barrel. The
rifled barrel also has dovetailed blade and notch sights and engraving. The unmarked lock also as scroll engraving as does the various German silver inlays and the furniture. The stock is nicely figured maple.
CONDITION: Very fine with an attractive antique appearance and minor overall wear mostly from age.
Mechanically fine.
engraving and marking
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182 Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750