Page 181 - 4092-BOOK3-FLIPBOOK

LOT 3209
Desirable “J B” Signed Bedford Percussion American Long Rifle Attributed to John Border - NSN, 38 cal., 40 inch octagon bbl., brown finish, curly maple stock. This classic Bedford, Pennsylvania, rifle dates to c. 1850s-early 1860s and is attributed to gunmaker John Border (1831-1864) based on the “J B” signature on the lock which matches other Border attributed rifles which are generally of the same overall style. His advertisements noted that his shop was at the east end of Bedford, and he is a known producer of single and double barreled rifles in the Bedford area’s distinctive style. He was mortally wounded when the rail car he was riding in was struck by a rock that had rolled down the mountain slope. He had attempted to jump off the car which then fell on him. His shop was taken over by David Defibaugh. The straight octagonal barrel features a silver blade front sight with dovetailed brass base and dovetailed notch rear sight. The distinctive Bedford lock is fired using adjustable double set triggers. The curly maple stock has a cheekpiece with incised edge and brass furniture. CONDITION: Very good with a mix of original finish and dark brown patina on the barrel and lock, tool marks at the breech end, minor pitting, and attractive aged patina on the brass. The stock is also very good and has a few minor hairline cracks and chips, general mild scratches and dings, and attractive flame figure. Mechanically fine. Overall, a plain but very attractive Bedford rifle. Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
LOT 3210 Engraved, Silver Inlaid, and Carved Bedford/Somerset County Percussion Long Rifle - NSN, 36 cal., 36 inch octagon bbl., brown finish, curly maple stock. This rifle from southern Pennsylvania has no visible signature on the barrel, and the signature on the lock is faint but appears to be “E C”. The signature, the engraving style (note the crossed line “stars” for example), and the patchbox are similar to the Elias Crissey rifle on page 82 of “Gunsmiths of Bedford, Somerset, and Fulton Counties” by Whisker and Whisker that is identified as winning a medal at the 1876 Philadelphia Exposition (Centennial International Exhibition). The rifle features extensive engraved silver inlays, horn inlays in the piercings in the forend wear plate, side plate, and toe plate; interrupted molding along the forend, incised carving on the butt, and a shallow cheekpiece with an oval inlay engraved with an eagle and shield. The rifle has a dovetailed blade front sight, an adjustable sporting style rear sight, and adjustable double set triggers. CONDITION: Very good with dark brown patina on the lock and barrel, some erosion from corrosive caps at the breech, attractive aged patina on the silver and brass, and general mild overall wear. The re-oiled stock is very good with distinct carving, a few faint cracks, some wear around the mortises, and very attractive figure. Mechanically fine (trigger must be set first). Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
LOT 3211 Engraved and Silver Inlaid J.S. Johnston Percussion American Long Rifle - NSN, 42 cal., 40 inch octagon bbl., brown finish, curly maple stock. John S. Johnston (b. 1832) of Walker Township, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, was a gunmaker around the 1860s-1880s. This rifle is similar to some published examples by Johnston but features particularly
attractive silver inlays, including floral patterns on the wrist and left side of the butt and an interesting narrow oval cheekpiece. The barrel has dovetailed blade and notch sights, “J. S. Johnston” signed in script on top, some light engraving at the breech, and a longer tang with two screws. The lock has a marking that includes “BROTHER & Co” and some scroll patterns. The rifle is equipped with adjustable double set triggers. The four-piece patchbox has a heart shaped piercing in the finial and floral engraving, and acorns are among the patterns on the lid and side plate. CONDITION: Fine with dark brown patina on the barrel along with some cold blue, gray patina on the lock, corrosion from percussion caps at the breech end of the barrel and on the lock, attractive aged patina on the silver and brass, the patch box sideplates coming a little loose, and general mild overall wear. The refinished stock is very good and has a thin crack below the lock, some repaired cracks in the forend, and general mils scratches and dings. Mechanically fine (trigger must be set first). Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
LOT 3212
Scarce Engraved R.F. Stunkard Percussion Side by Side Combination Gun - NSN, 42 cal., 38 1/2 inch octagon bbl., brown finish, maple stock. This mid-19th century combination gun by Robert Ferguson Stunkard (1827-1900) of New Grenada, Fulton County, Pennsylvania, features a smoothbore barrel on the left and a rifled barrel on the right, both approximately .42 caliber and featuring dovetailed blade and notch sights. The left barrel is signed “R* F* Stunkard” in script. The back action locks are marked “H.E. LEMAN/ LANCASTER PA” and have scroll patterns. The gun features adjustable double set triggers and is mounted with brass furniture and German silver inlays featuring primarily wavy line engraving. Similar patchboxes are known on other Stunkard guns as well as some by James Stapleton. CONDITION: Very good with dark brown patina and some mild pitting on the barrels and locks, aged patina on the furniture and inlays, and general mild wear. The stock has some thin cracks, minor chips, and general light scrapes and dings. Mechanically fine (full-cock only and trigger must be set first). Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
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