3230

J. Sheets "Golden Age' Kentucky Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:1,600.00 USD Estimated At:4,000.00 - 8,000.00 USD
J. Sheets  Golden Age' Kentucky Rifle
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Estimate: $4000 - 8000
"Golden Age" Kentucky Rifle with barrel signed: "J Sheets". "AMERICAN GUNSMITHS" lists J. Sheets of Stanton County, Virginia, as a maker of Flintlock Kentucky rifles circa 1810. "AMERICAN GUNSMITHS" also lists Jacob Sheetz of Charleston, Virginia and John Jacob Sheetz of Shepherdstown, Virginia, as gunsmiths who made Kentucky rifles in the years prior to the War of 1812. Page 60 of "STEEL CANVAS" by R. L. Wilson illustrates a Kentucky rifle attributed to John Sheetz and states that it is considered to be the finest made Virginia-made Kentucky rifle known. This rifle has a .42 caliber, 41 1/2-inch octagon barrel with dovetail mounted brass front sight and dovetail mounted, fixed, iron rear sight. The lock has been converted to percussion with a drum style bolster. The lock plate is marked "W. KETLAND & Co.". The rifle has a tiger striped, full length, walnut stock with "Roman Nose' comb, cheekrest, brass forearm cap and brass side plate. The stock is attached to the barrel by four brass wedges. The wedge closest to the lock is surrounded by a nickel-silver finial with acorn-shaped tips. The forearm has serpent-shaped wire inlays on the lower edge and is fitted with four brass ramrod pipes. The stock has a crescent brass buttplate and is fitted with a pierced and engraved brass patch box. The patch box has a flower shaped finial. The rifle has adjustable, double-set triggers and a brass trigger guard with finger spur. The patch box and trigger guard are very similar to those of the Virginia School Kentucky rifle illustrated on Plate 43 of "THE KENTUCKY RIFLE" by Merrill Lindsay. The cheekpiece is inlaid with an engraved, silver, eight-pointed star. The wrist has a silver, oval, thumb rest.
BBL: 41 1/2 inch octagon
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 42
Finish: brown
Grips:
Serial Number: NSN
Condition: Good. The barrel and lock have an even, deep brown patina, The gunmaker's name on the barrel is clear. There is heavy flash pitting and firing erosion on the top and right barrel flats and tang. The ramrod is missing and the end of the third ramrod pipe is torn. One side plate screw is missing and a period replacement brass nut secures the hammer. The patch box, buttplate, trigger guard and other brass furniture has been highly polished. The stock is in very good condition and shows moderate wear. The only significant wear appears to be a hair-line crack between the edge of the lock plate and the trigger guard. This is a solid example of a signed, Virginia School, "Golden Age" Kentucky rifle from the early 19th Century. A wonderful piece of Americana!