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ATTIC CONDITION P. BELLES DAUPHIN COUNTY FLINTLOCK RIFLE

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:7,000.00 USD Estimated At:14,000.00 - 18,000.00 USD
ATTIC CONDITION P. BELLES DAUPHIN COUNTY FLINTLOCK RIFLE
This fine rifle has a 44-3/4 ì full oct rifled .44 cal bbl signed in script by P. Belles. The 4-pc engraved brass patch box has six piercings and has two rivets holding the catch. The curly maple stock is incised carved at the rear ramrod ferrule and the English flint lock is faintly marked Warranted. The rifle features twelve silver inlays and a 3-æî engraved brass toe plate. The flat brass side plate is not engraved. Peter Belles worked in Lykens township, Dauphin County. The patch box design, trigger guard and side plate are very similar to Belles rifle number 89 in Kindigís ìThoughts on the Kentucky Rifle in its Golden Ageî where Kindig notes he had two P. Belles rifles. This very rifle is pictured in Roy F. Chandlerís red book ìKentucky Rifle Patch boxes & Barrel Marksî published in 1971 when the rifle was owned by Kindig, very possibly the second of Kindigís Belles rifles. PROVENANCE: Previously in Joe Kindig Jr. Collection CONDITION: There is a shrinkage crack in the fore stock wood between the rear and middle ramrod ferrules.††Flint lock may have been re-converted and the signature on the bbl is quite worn.††Set trigger is missing.††This is a great rifle in as found attic condition. 4-47564 RGG1