Lot 3067 Detail
Signed Kentucky Rifle by Melchior Fordney, Lancaster School, Reconversion to
Flintlock, c. 1835-40
.48 caliber, 41 1/2-inch octagonal barrel signed in script on top of breech, "M.
Fordney", lightly engraved reconverted lock; open sights of traditional style;
engraved brass mountings including patchbox with star finial; American eagle motif
engraved on German silver oval inlay on cheekpiece; German silver oval thumbpiece
escutcheon; incised carving on varnished curly maple stock, primarily on left side of butt
and at wrist; double set triggers; hickory ramrod.
Condition: Very good. Gray patina to steel; pitting. Mellow patina to
brass; repair to patchbox hinge, and to stock on left side above main ramrod ferrule; chip
missing from stock at right by barrel breech; eagle cheekpiece inlay possible replacement.
Note: For information on Fordney, see Joe Kindig, Jr., Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle
in Its Golden Age, pages 130-137. Kindig notes: "Melchoir Fordney was one of the
finest, although not one of the earliest, Lancaster gunsmiths . . . . [he] was a very good
engraver; he designed very nice details and executed them in varying depths to create the
effect of shading." He was murdered by a religious fanatic, October 1846.
Estimate: $1500 - $2000
Reloading kit for pinfire cartridges (5mm,7mm, 9mm & 12mm)
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