3470

JACOB EARNEST, GRANDSON OF "INDIAN EVE", FULL

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,000.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 4,000.00 USD
JACOB EARNEST, GRANDSON OF  INDIAN EVE , FULL
STOCK PENNSYLVANIA RIFLE. Cal. about 40. NSN. Before the Revolutionary War, Eve Ernst, her husband & six children were attacked by marauding Indians. Eve was taken captive. After about 12 years, she was ransomed by the British & exchanged after the Revolution, then walked back to Pennsylvania w/ her son, Henry. Henry eventually married & moved to Westmoreland County, PA. His son, Jacob Earnest (Ernst) was born Jan. 2nd, 1805. Jacob's flintlock rifles are considered among the finest made in Westmoreland County. Bbl. 40 3/4" oct. measuring 15/16" across flats. Top flat is marked w/ initials "J" & "E" having 8 point star between them. Side lug style percussion conversion. Engraved percussion trade lock. Dbl. set triggers. Pin fastened full length curly maple roman nose stock w/ cheekpiece. Right side has rectangular lid pierced & segmented brass patchbox w/ fancy finial having bow & arrow engraving on lid. Lid release is in brass toeplate. Other brass fittings include crescent buttplate, finger curl trigger guard, sideplate, nose cap, thimble & 2 pipes. German silver oval cheekpiece plate has feather style engraving. Hardwood ramrod. WEIGHT: 7 lbs., 15.4 oz. "American Gunsmiths" by Frank Sellers has the following listing "EARNEST, JACOB, (1805-1884). Westmoreland Co., Pennsylvania, 1836-1884. Flintlock Kentucky rifle. (Bowers). UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: copies of magazine articles about Jacob Earnest w/ photos of his rifles. Pages of information about Ernst / Earnest family history & copies of emails of conversations discussing this rifle & Eve's history. CONDITION: bbl. finish has acquired a dark patina color w/ pitting heavy in breech area. Lock & hammer have mottled gray brown appearance w/ pitting. Trigger must be set for hammer to hold in cocked position. Stock has added finish over wear & handling marks w/ wood erosion & repaired cracks above lockplate. Both sides of forearm have long strips of added wood repairs. Dark lightly pitted bore retaining deep rifling. (01-19201/DS). ANTIQUE. $2,000-4,000.