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AS PICTURED AND
DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK KENTUCKY RIFLE PATCHBOXES & BARREL MARKS BY CHANDLER
LOT 3068
Jacob Albright Silve
r Accented Flintlock American Long
LOT 3067
Documented John Meals Signed, Engraved, and
Relief Carved Flintlock American Long Rifle - NSN, 45 cal., 44 3/8
inch octagon bbl., brown finish, maple stock. This rifle’s patchbox and
a facsimile of the signature are pictured on page 267 as rifle 511 in
the classic “Kentucky Rifle Patchboxes & Barrel Marks” by Roy Chandler
where it is noted as then owned by Joe Kindig Jr. Other John Meals
(1789-1852) rifles are featured in both Chandler’s book and Kindig’s
“Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle in Its Golden Age” demonstrating
some of the wide array of decorative designs Meals employed
during his career in the first half of the 19th century in Butler
Township, Adams County, Pennsylvania. This rifle was almost
certainly originally rifled but was bored out to smoothbore
during its period of use and has traditional blade and notch
sights and a distinct “* John Meals *” signature on the barrel. The lock has beveled profiling. The rifle is equipped with adjustable
double set triggers. The furniture is brass and features floral, line, and border engraving and includes a long wear plate that extends
between the trigger guard finial and ramrod entry pipe. The full-length stock has incised scroll and floral carving on the butt.
CONDITION: Very good with dark brown patina and moderate oxidation on the lock and barrel, aged patina and generally crisp designs on the
brass furniture, and moderate overall wear. The patchbox appears to have been forced open at some point. and the lid is slightly bent. The stock is good and has some erosion around breech and lock, yellow paint at the barrel keys, mild dings and scratches, small chip and absent pin at the toe, a few minor cracks and chips, and mild scratches and dings. The lock and triggers need some work.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
Rifle with Incised “JA” Carving and Ball Mold - NSN, 45 cal., 41 3/4
inch octagon bbl., brown finish, maple stock. This rifle has blade and notch
sights, no visible markings on the barrel or lock, some light engraving
on the latter, a rare adjustable single set trigger, light engraving on the
patchbox, incised lines terminating in light scroll carving on the forend,
nineteen silver accents (including crescent moons and a head in front
of the lock and two crescent moons flaking a hunter’s star on the
cheekpiece), incised molding along the bottom of the butt, and a very
ornate panel of carving primarily consisting of the letters “JA” behind
the cheekpiece. The side plate has a crudely scratched “RE” marking.
A roughly .36 caliber ball mold is included. It is inscribed neatly with “JA.” These markings are attributed to Jacob
Albright of what is now Center County, Pennsylvania. Rifle No. 71 in Kindig’s “Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle in
Its Golden Age” has similar carving and is noted as “Signed ‘J. Alb.’ (probably J. Albright).” There are other examples
with the same carving known today.
CONDITION: Very good with dark brown patina, mild oxidation, and mild pitting on the lock and barrel, broken frizzen spring,
aged patina on the silver and brass furniture, and mild overall wear. The stock is also very good and has crisp carving, repairs by the lock, crack along the left
side of the butt, crack on the left flat, and mild scratches and dings. Lock needs work. The mold is very good and has a crisp inscription and dark patina.
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500 49