3510

“AS FOUND” JOHN MEALS SIGNED, CARVED & ENGRAVED

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:5,000.00 USD Estimated At:10,000.00 - 20,000.00 USD
“AS FOUND” JOHN MEALS SIGNED, CARVED & ENGRAVED
FLINTLOCK RIFLE, EX-KINDIG COLLECTION, CIRCA 1830. Cal. .48. NSN. 60” Overall, 44.5” oct. rifled bbl. signed in script “John Meals” between 2 engraved stars. Fixed notch rear sight & inset brass blade front sight. This rifle is pictured & described in "Kentucky Rifle Patchboxes & Barrel Marks" by Roy Chandler 1971. (page 267, figure 511) John Meals (1789-1852) is listed in 1820 census as manufacturer in Menallen, Adams County, Pennsylvania w/ 6 workers including himself. He is listed just before his death in the 1850 census as a gunsmith also in Adams County. Kindig states “I believe he worked about 1825 & later even though he used a number of details from an earlier period. His work definitely represents the Golden Age of Kentucky rifle making. John Meals was a good workman, especially for the period. He made charming patch boxes, all of them different. He apparently was a gunsmith who did not repeat his designs.” No two rifles by John Meals are alike; he was extremely creative w/ his designs. Rifle features curly maple stock w/ distinct incised C-scroll terminated in 8-petal flower w/ crosshatching in its center. Kindig points out “There is one little detail repeated in his engraving & also in his carving: a little leaf like design containing crosshatching or parallel lines in the crotches of the vine like details that generally end in C-scrolls.” Rifle is brass mounted w/ 4 piece pierced patch box w/ crosshatched engraved design, sideplate engraved en suite, large brass oval engraved w/ 4-pointed star on cheekpiece, engraved brass oval thumb plate, 8 inset engraved brass escutcheons rear of each keyway on fore stock, large brass pinned plate is found between trigger guard & ramrod thimble w/ no wood exposed in this area. Toe plate has central oval hiding patch box door release button. This may not be the finest Meals rifle made, but it may be the most unmolested & in beautiful attic condition. CONDITION: very good overall, original flint, complete & original, bbl. & lock have dark iron patina w/ pitting around breech, signature is crisp. Brass has a medium patina. Toe plate is missing small pin at rear that mates w/ buttplate. Stock is sound, well fit, hand worn patina, small areas of erosion especially forward of frizzen, one small age crack on left side of forestock just rear of nosecap. Mechanically functional including set triggers, uncleaned dirty rifled bore. (01-18499/JS). ANTIQUE. $10,000-20,000.