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CURLY MAPLE KENTUCKY RIFLE MADE & SIGNED BY

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,000.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 3,000.00 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 has severe breaks on both sides of the barrel tang. The crack on the left side extends from the end of the barrel tang to the top of the escutcheon, then to the rear of the side plate, through the side plate to the foot of the trigger guard. The crack on the right side travels from the rear of the lock to the end of the barrel tang. On the underside, the stock is cracked from near the frizzen spring to the front of the trigger guard, then up to the side plate & beyond. All pieces are present and repairs could be made relatively easily by a skilled gunsmith. There are old inset repairs under lock, around bbl. tang, and a long sliver repair extends 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. (01-23961/RG/BF). ANTIQUE. $2,000-3,000.