KENTUCKY RIFLES AT AFFORDABLE PRICES

Signed A Gibbs Lancaster PA, Abraham Gibbs, Lancaster, PA ca 1850

A late example of a Lancaster rifle still in full stock format. This may have been made as a plains rifle. The condition is near perfect so I doubt it was used much. The rifled barrel is 30.5 inches and about .40 cal. The checkered wrist as well as the faux graining shows little if any wear. The patchbox, trigger guard, rear ramrod pipe, and toe plate are engraved. The lock is stamped Leman Lancaster, PA. Everything on the rifle is original including the ramrod, barrel keys, and all mounts. Though rifles by A Gibbs are not exceedingly rare this example is, because of its condition and decoration.

Available at $1,850.00

SOLD SOLD Signed WM N Beals, William N Beals, Unicoi County, TN ca 1850

William N Beals worked near Erwin, Washington (now Unicoi) County. He was born in 1821, married twice, and died in 1896. Apparently never left the area. The rifle is stocked in nicely grained walnut with hand forged iron hardware; the barrel tang extending over the comb. The 45.5 inch rifles barrel is about .40 cal. I believe the barrel length is original although the first barrel pin goes through the iron fore end cap. That draw loop (underpinning loop) has not been moved. The front sight is placed correctly.

The lock appears to be the original and small pieces of wood have been restored in the unusal "burned out" places. The rifle has been in a collection for 50 years so it is considered new to the market. The overall condition is very good with pleasing original surfaces.

SOLD SOLD 10/24

Signed A BEARDEN, Alfred Bearden, Lincoln County, TN ca 1840

The Bearden, Smith, and Compton familes came to the Lincoln County area from South Carolina. All were gunsmiths and intermarried. The Beardens were the most prolific with only one signed Franklin Smith rifle and one BH Compton (whale box) rifle known. This example is rare because it is one of the few half-stock southern rifles in original flintlock condition. The lock is marked J Steatham.

The 39 inch rifled barrel is about .38 cal. The curly maple appears to be quite good however, the wonderful dark patina obscures most of it. The iron under rib of the barrel has a short section (about 3 inches long) in front of the cap that is different than the remainder of the rib. I beleive it was made this way; it has never been a fullstock rifle. The ramrod was broken and repaired with a section of a bamboo fly rod. It has its original worm intact. Picture of Alfred off ALR owned by Wayne Elliott.

Available at $4250.00

Pistol Signed L J E B, Lucious Junius Eliphas Bearden, Lincoln County, TN ca 1860

Available at $2,850.00

signed John M.Camant Wellsburgh, John McCamant, Wellsburgh, WV ca 1845

John McCamant worked in Wellsburgh, West Virginia as a gunsmith and brass founder. He was the son of James McCamant of Washington, PA, Wellsburgh, WV, and Ohio. John and his wife Ruth Prather moved to Illinois in 1854.

This half-stock rifle has a premium curly maple stock with its original finish. The brass mounts are well made and nicely formed. Of interest is the iron side plate opposite the back action lock (probably made by McCamant) rather than brass as he was a brass founder. The 37 inch barrel is about .58 cal sufficient for large game. Iron repairs appear under the lock on both sides.

Available at $975.00

Curly Ash Mountain Rifle, North Carolina ca 1850

Curly ash is rarely used because it is difficult to work but very durable. The grain is beautiful especially if old untouched surfaces are intact as on this example. Though this trigger gaurd is often seen on eastern Tennessee rifles I believe this rifle was made in North Carolina, Middle Tennessee, or Kentucky. The style of triggers and pointed barrel tang may help identify the region of origin. The 44.5 inch rifled barrel is about .40 cal. Originally it had brass plates at the breech nearest the drum and nipple to protect from corrosion.

Iron straps were inlet on both sides of the tang along the wrist to repair a break in period. The fore arm shows extensive saddle wear. The set triggers are very well made and attractive. The combination of iron, brass, and silver mounts is unusual. This rifle, though in well used condition, has an appeal because of the many unusual characteristics and its suface quality. It speaks of the need to maintain a tool neccesary for life in the back country.

Available at $1,950.00

PRICE REDUCED Unsigned William Shaver, Rockingham/Augusta County, Virginia ca 1835

The following information appears on Courtney Wilson's website www.penmarvarifles.com: "Little is written about the Shaver family of gunsmiths but both William (b. 1802) and Daniel (b. 1812) made some fine rifles in the percussion period 1830-60. The Shavers originated in Rockingham County and their riflemaking style, architecture and the folksy engraving and details were heavily influenced by Alexander McGilvray, Rockingham County’s most prolific rifle maker. The bulk of their work, however, was apparently done just south of Rockingham County in Augusta County on the road to Staunton, Virginia. To the best of my knowledge no signed rifles are known by this family"

This example is one of the best and most original examples of their work. The rifled barrel is 43 inches long about .40 cal. Though made in the percussion period this rifle exhibits much earlier architecture and style. None of the rifles known by William or Daniel were made in the flintlock period. The patchbox finial has a mans head with a pointed nose; a folkish and desirable detail. The Shavers always used a wavy line with gouge work as a decorative detail around the curved cheekpiece. This example has that as well as on the fore arm. Both silver double acorn inlays are missing. The lock appears to be an old replacement contemporary with use as it is a single screw lock.

The forward lock bolt and comma shaped washer is missing and a sliver of wood is missing near the fore end cap. The curly maple is exquisite but the wonderful old surface dampens it. Few rifles appear on the market in untouched condition; this example had not been cleaned or tampered with in over 100 years; as a result the surface has a matte finish that should not be removed or tampered with. Replacing the mising inlays, changing the lock, and restoring the sliver of wood could be avoided to maintain the orinigality and attic condition of this rifle. Just leave it alone and enjoy an unmolested piece of Shenandoah Valley history.

Available at $2,850.00 reduced to $2,350.00 6/24

PRICE REDUCED Signed D Sheets, Daniel Hoover Sheets, Union, OH ca 1840

This rifle is signed in script on the barrel D Sheets with a decorative motif after the signature. Daniel was the son of Martin Sheets who came to Union in 1808 from Randolph County, North Carolina. The barrel is 42" and about .38 cal. it has never been cut down or rebreeched. The plain maple stock is in original condition with no losses or repairs; the original surface survives and is near perfect.

I believe the two pieces of brass , one between the hammer and tang, the other in front of the lock are original to the stock placed there by Daniel to prevent the corrosive action of the percussion caps. The lock is original to the rifle and signed J G Stutsman Dayton Ohio; it is in good working condition. It is an attractive rifle in original condition with pleasing architecture.

Available at $1950.00 reduced to $1450.00 6/24