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EXCEPTIONAL PETER KUNTZ FLINTLOCK ENGRAVED KENTUCKY RIFLE.

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:9,000.00 USD Estimated At:18,000.00 - 35,000.00 USD
EXCEPTIONAL PETER KUNTZ FLINTLOCK ENGRAVED KENTUCKY RIFLE.
NSN. This fine Kentucky rifle has a 43 1/2 inch full octagon smooth bore .45 caliber barrel. Although unsigned the rifle is unquestionably the product of the Lehigh County gunsmith Peter Kuntz. The original flint London Warranted lock has a roller frizzen. Peter Kuntz was the brother of Jacob Kuntz, one of eastern Pennsylvania’s most famous gunsmiths. The four piece patch box is magnificently engraved featuring an English bull mastiff barking at a bird perched atop a tree. The finial design depicts a fully plumed eagle resting on a Nautilus shell along with one piercing where wood is exposed. The brass cheek piece inlay is in the form of a rising sun with a lunette shape above it forming a natural piercing. The engraving on the rifles patch box, cheek inlay, thumb piece inlay, toe plate and side plate approach the quality of engraving of his famous brother whose work is on display in New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. This is an exceptional quality early 19th century rifle that demonstrates the high quality of skill exhibited by eastern Pennsylvania’s Kuntz family of gunsmiths. This rifle was awarded the silver medal for “Best Non-Carved Rifle” at the 2003 Kentucky Rifle Show. The medal accompanies the rifle. Includes: Silver KRA Award bottle tag CONDITION: This rifle is practically in work bench condition showing only minor handling marks from nearly two centuries of careful handling. 4-49674