Page 216 - 4092-BOOK2-FLIPBOOK

LOT 1238
Documented Engraved, Silver Inlaid, and Raised Relief Carved Samuel Spangler “Mule Ear” Percussion Side by Side Combination
Gun Made for John Jacob Ruslin - NSN, 50 cal., 37 3/8 inch solid rib bbl., brown finish, curly maple stock. Samuel Spangler worked in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, in the 1820s-1844 before moving to Monroe, Wisconsin. The left barrel is approximately .46 caliber and straight rifled and is fired using a plain single trigger, and the right barrel is approximately .50 caliber and may have originally been traditionally rifled given that barrel features a folding leaf on the rear sight and is fired using adjustable double set triggers. The barrels have dovetailed blade front sights with a shared
dovetailed base and dovetailed notch rear sights, a flat rib, hooked breeches, “John.Jacob” (left) and “Rusley” (right) in silver inlay with scroll
accents on top of the barrels, and an engraved standing breech. The right lock is signed “S Spangler” in script at the front, and both have border engraving,
trees towards the rear, and stepped tails. The furniture is primarily engraved brass, including a classic Somerset/Bedford patchbox, and there are also twelve
silver inlays, including a cheekpiece inlay with an eagle and shield. The stock also features some raised relief carving. The gun is discussed in “The Bedford
County Rifle and Its Makers” by Hetrick on page 19 and illustrated on page 31, is also featured in “Gunsmiths of Bedford, Somerset, and Fulton Counties” by the
Whiskers on page 129 where it is noted as made by Samuel Spangler for John Jacob Rusley/Ruslin and again on page 147 of “Gunsmiths of Bedford, Fulton,
Huntingdon, & Somerset Counties” by Whisker and Yantz. Included research notes indicate that John Jacob Ruslin (c. 1793-1867) was a wealthy tavern owner in
Stoystown, Somerset County, Pennsylvania, and also a land owner in both Bedford and Somerset Counties and had interests in sheep and wool mills in Bedford County but was not a gunmaker.
CONDITION: Very good with dark brown patina on the locks and barrels, mild pitting at the breech, material added around the left breech, attractively aged patina on the silver and brass, legible markings, distinct engraving, and general mild wear. The refinished stock is also very good and has some smoothing of the carving, small cracks in the forend tip, minor flakes by the locks, and general mild scratches and dings. Mechanically fine. Overall, a very distinctive and well-known combination gun.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 1239
Engraved T. Douglass Percussion Long Rifle with
Extensive German Silver Inlays -
NSN, 50 percussion cal., 41 inch octagon bbl., brown finish, maple stock. The barrel is stamped “T. DOUGLASS” and blade and notch sights each flanked by scrollwork. The lock is unmarked and has floral scroll designs. The patch box and over 30 German silver inlays are also engraved. The patch box opens via a small
button on the toe plate. It is equipped with set triggers and has a spurred trigger guard. The maple stock has dramatic striped figure and a shallow cheekpiece. A wooden ramrod with brass tip is included.
CONDITION: Very good plus. The barrel has faded even original brown finish mixed with a well-established brown patina. The finely engraved lock also
has an untouched brown patina overall. There is pitting concentrated at the breech on the barrel and lock. The brass and inlays have attractive aged
patinas. The lock functions fine when tested by hand, but the set triggers are currently non-functional. The stock is very good with only minor marks and scratches aside from some chipping at the breech on the right. The figure is excellent, and the markings and engraving patterns are crisp. Provenance: The Robert Bretherton Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 3,250 - 4,750
214
LOT 1240
Desirable Daniel Border Signed Bedford Side by Side Percussion Combination Gun - NSN, 42 cal., 40 3/8 inch octagon
bbl., brown finish, maple stock. Daniel Border (1826-1891) was a talented gunmaker, jeweler, locksmith, watchmaker, and silversmith in Bedford, Pennsylvania, working earlier on with firearms before transitioning into his other trades. The locks are each
signed “D Border” and have “wiggle” line border engraving. The left barrel is rifled and approximately .42 caliber, and the right is smoothbore and approximately .47 caliber. They have interesting sights centered
between the barrels consisting of a blade front sight and a broad U-notch rear sight with bases that fit
into dovetails on both barrels. The gun features adjustable double set triggers and brass furniture.
The maple stock is plain and has a Bedford County
style butt profile.
CONDITION: Very good with crisp signatures, dark brown patina, mild erosion at the breech,
attractively aged patina on the brass furniture, and general mild overall wear. Aside from the section absent at the tail of the right lock and a few thin cracks, the refinished stock is also very good and has
light scratches and dings. Mechanically fine (set trigger first). Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500