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CURLY MAPLE KENTUCKY RIFLE MADE & SIGNED BY

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,500.00 USD Estimated At:3,000.00 - 6,000.00 USD
CURLY MAPLE KENTUCKY RIFLE MADE & SIGNED BY

JONATHAN WETZEL. Cal. 50 smooth bore. NSN. Bbl. 38 3/4" full oct. signed in script “J W” w/ 2” engraved weave pattern around rear sight. Overall length. 54". Unmarked English flintlock w/ dbl. set triggers. Curly maple stock is incise carved rear of cheekpiece. 4 Piece brass patchbox w/ 6 piercings, 4 silver inlays, 4 3/4" brass saddle plate & brass comb inlay. Wetzel lived close to New Berlin on the Snyder County side of Penns Creek. Wetzel is a relatively scarce rifle maker & his guns are hard to locate. CONDITION: very good overall, mottled dark gray iron patina w/ pitting at breech, bbl. has been reconverted from percussion, lock is old and has been fitted to the rifle, frizzen spring & screw restored. Stock is sound overall w/ inset repairs under lock, around bbl. tang, long sliver repair extending from lock forward to middle ramrod thimble on right side of forestock. Ramrod has swelled to the point it is difficult to remove. Mechanically fine, pitted smoothbore. PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. John Persing. (01-19585/RG). ANTIQUE. $3,000-6,000.