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LOT 235
Exceptional Alvin A. White Master
Engraved and Silver Mounted
Contemporary “Kentucky” Flintlock
Pistol - NSN, 38 cal., 8 1/8 inch part octagon bbl., bright/casehardened/
silver finish, curly maple stock. The rifled brass barrel is signed “AAW” in script on top by Master Engraver Alvin A. White who was one of
the most talented American arms engravers in the 20th century and indeed in American history. While best known for engraved Colt
revolvers, White had a personal interest in muzzleloading firearms. The barrel also features a silver blade front sight and flourishes of scroll
engraving. The bright steel/iron upper tang has floral engraving and a notch rear sight. The lock is signed “A.A. White” and has scroll engraving. The furniture
is silver. The sideplate is engraved with a bald eagle and classical martial trophies. The pommel cap has a grotesque mask. The trigger guard has floral and fan patterns. The wrist
escutcheon has floral finials. The nicely figured and shaped stock has raised shell carving at the barrel tang.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine with light aged patinas on the brass and silver, French gray color and light case colors on the lock, crisp engraving and markings, and minor marks
and scratches. The stock is also very fine and has smooth finish, nice figure, crisp carving, and
some minor dings and scratches mainly on the forend. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 234
Incredible Documented Engraved, Relief Carved, and Inlaid Contemporary Frederick Sell Flintlock American Long
Rifle by Jerry Kirklin - NSN, 50 cal., 44 inch octagon bbl., brown/antiqued brass finish, curly maple stock. This stunning rifle is an
authentic recreation of an original Frederick Sell rifle. This rifle by Jerry Kirklin (1938-2021) was featured on the cover of the
September/October 1984 issue of “Man at Arms” where the original rifle is noted as “widely known to be the favorite rifle of Joe
Kindig, Jr., and is described and illustrated, as gun No. 184, in his monumental volume ‘Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle in its Golden
Age’. (Ralph E. Arnold collection)”. In the book Kindig wrote: “No. 184 is one of the grandest Kentucky rifles that I have ever seen. It is signed
‘Frederick Sell’ on a brass plate in the barrel and ‘F S’ on the brass lock plate which Sell unquestionably made. This gun is really a work
of art from one end to the other. The magnificent curly maple stock is adorned with nine engraved brass and
two engraved silver inlays. Under the cheek piece there is a beautiful spiral-fluted piece of brass that held
a priming wire. The chevron engraving on the muzzle cap is a nice detail. The very unusual rear sight has some
beautiful C-scroll work in the iron. The gun has another unusual detail. The side plate with four piercings
is one of the most beautiful I have seen on a Kentucky...The unusually beautiful trigger has a curlicue on
the end and beautiful piercings to the rear. The patch box is an almost perfect work of art in both outline and
engraving. It has ten piercings (the most I have found on a Frederick Sell patch box), and the head terminates in a very beautiful bird.
It is so beautifully designed and engraved that I consider it a masterpiece of American art of the period. A very interesting detail in this
rifle is a button which might logically be the lid release but which actually is what today we call a booby-trap. There is a hole in the
center of the button, and in that hole, there is a stationary pin. When you press this button, the pin pierces your finger. The real release
for the patch box lid is hidden away in the engraved molding on the buttplate. The long toe plate on this rifle is beautifully engraved
in the style Frederick Sell knew so well. The finest carving is beautifully executed in high relief in practically all places that were ever
carved on Kentuckys. The cheek piece is almost covered with unusually well designed C-scrolls and cross-hatching. There is also a beautiful detail of carving forward
of the side and lock plates. The many fine details so expertly executed make this one of the most beautiful Kentuckys I have ever seen. This gun alone would place Frederick Sell among
the great masters of Kentucky rifle making.” That description certainly fits the current rifle which additionally has a faint “R. PARIS & SON” marking on the right barrel flat and “Built by J Kirklin/1981” found on the
underside of the patchbox lid if you can figure out the release without getting poked!
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine overall with minimal wear. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500