Page 143 - 4094-BOOK3

LOT 3205
Ornate Silver Inlaid, Engraved, and Relief Carved Percussion American Long Rifle -
NSN, 38 cal., 40 3/4 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened/brass/silver finish, curly maple stock. This
stunning rifle has a seven-groove rifled barrel with light decoration on the muzzle, traditional blade and
notch sights, and silver bands and scroll engraving on the breech. The engraving continues onto the tang. The
lock has bird engraving on the tail end and scroll and radiating line engraving on the front. The rifle has adjustable
double set triggers. The furniture is brass and features fine scroll and floral engraving. The outstanding four-piece
patchbox has two piercings each on the sideplates and the finial and has a release button on the toeplate. The rifle has
sixteen engraved silver inlays along the stock, including detailed fish (perhaps trout), crescent moons, patriotic shields, and
a hunter’s star inscribed “BH” on the cheekpiece. The absent inlaid heel plate was also likely silver. The stock also features
incised lines along the forend terminating in scrollwork by the entry pipe and elaborate checkerboard and scroll patterns
along the left side of the butt.
CONDITION: Fine with attractive aged patina on the silver and brass, a blend of fading blue finish and dark brown patina
along the lock and barrel, moderate oxidation concentrated at the breech, chipped hammer, and moderate wear. The stock
is also fine and has mostly distinct carving, repairs visible at the tail of the lock, tension crack at the lock screw, some faint
cracks and repairs in the forend, light scratches and dings, and attractive flame figure throughout. Mechanically functions
fine (trigger must be set first).
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,000
LOT 3204
Documented Engraved and Extensively Silver Inlaid Lewis Fondersmith
Huntingdon School Percussion American Long Rifle in Noted Reference
Book - NSN, 40 cal., 43 1/2 inch octagon bbl., unknown/silver/bright finish, curly
maple stock. This rifle is featured on page 92 of “Gunsmiths of Bedford, Fulton,
Huntingdon, & Somerset Counties” by Whisker and Yantz. Lewis Fondersmith
Sr. and Jr. were gunmakers near Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, in the 1830s, and
the father later moved to Washington County in Western Pennsylvania by
1839. The rifle is stamped “L FONDERSMITH” on top of the barrel which
measures 1 inch at the breech and tapers to .95 inches at the muzzle and
features seven-groove rifling, star/asterisk patterns on the muzzle face,
and traditional dovetailed blade and notch sights. The lock is unmarked.
The rifle is equipped with adjustable double set triggers. The main mounts
are brass and feature intricate pierced work, including on the distinctive
wear plate running between the entry pipe and trigger guard finial as well
as on the side plate, toe plate (with horn inlays), and patchbox, and there
is a narrow comb plate running nearly to the nose. The rifle also features
twenty-five silver inlays, including eagle designs in the grasping section of
the forend and an oval cheekpiece inlay engraved with an eagle.
CONDITION: Very good plus with dark brown patina and oxidation/pitting on the lock and barrel, worn but mostly legible
maker’s mark, attractively aged patina on the silver and brass, some inlays repaired, and mild overall wear. The refinished
stock has attractive figure, small chips and slivers absent, faint repairs, and mild dings and scratches. Short ramrod.
Mechanically fine (full-cock only). Overall, a very attractive Huntingdon County rifle!
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
As pictured & described in Gunsmiths
of Bedford, Fulton, Huntingdon &
Somerset Counties by Whisker & Yantz
141