KENTUCKY RIFLES FOR SALE ON CONSIGNMENT

Signed "S M Shillito" Chambersburg, Franklin County, Pennsylvania ca 1840

Sam Shillito was born in Franklin County in 1793 and died there in 1852. He made highly decorated rifles as well as plain rifles. This example is above average in decoration. Shillito Sr. was an excellent engraver; his craft is seen on the patchbox, toeplate and inlays. The forestock inlays are decorative and do not act as escucheons.

There is no wood replacement but a long sliver of wood is missing along the fore arm. A brass plate has been added above the lock to protect the wood from the burning action of the percussion caps. The 38.5" rifled barrel is about .40 cal. The percussion lock is original to the rifle and is by Henry Parker. Gunsmiths in the Winchester, Virginia area used silver inlays interspersed in the butt stock carving as well as silver acorn inlays. This style occurs on this example. The silver star inlay on the cheekpiece is engraved similarly to those on the Sheetz rifles of an earlier period in Shepherdstown. The curly maple is of excellent quality and is evident under an old undisturbed finish.

Available at $2,950.00

Signed "David Dirck" Northumberland County, Pennsylvania ca 1825

Not much is known about David Dirck. I find his name as Derk and Dirk in the records as well as it appears David and Daniel are the same people. The rifle is a great Upper Susquehanna example to study as it incorporates characteristics of a few other gunsmiths in that area. The excellent quality curly maple stock has several silver inlays, some are engraved. It has a beautiful pierced toe plate, and comb plate. The patchbox is not only nicely designed and pierced it is also well engraved.

There is no wood replacement and only 2 small silver inlays replaced; one under the cheek piece inlay the other behind the side plate. The wear plate on the fore arm is decorative and engraved; the engraving mostly gone from wear. The 42.5" rifled barrel is about .38 cal and was not shortened when converted to percussion. Few rifles of the Upper Susquehanna region are as decorative and well done as this example.

Available at $10,800.00

Signed "H. Deringer Philada", Philadelphia, PA ca 1820

Henry Deringer Sr. worked in Easton, PA and then moved to Philadelphia and worked as a civilian gunsmith as well as fulfilling government conracts for military guns. This example has a bit more ornamentation than his usual rifles. The 43.5" smoothbore barrel is about .54 cal and is stamped "H. Deringer Philada". The lock is marked "JJ Henry Boulton" but is a replacement. The lockplate has been altered to more closely fit the mortise. A very nice pattern of brass inlay work appears in front of the toe plate.

There is a minor wood replacement at the toe. The lock bolt plate is a replacement but is nicely engraved in an appropriate pattern. Other than the replacements the rifle has wonderful surface quality, finish, and above average curly maple.

Available at $7,800.00

Signed J Young, Joe Young, Wetzel County, West Virginia ca 1880

Joe Young was a late rifle maker who worked in Wetzel County, West Virginia from 1877 until his death in 1918. He made some full stock rifles and many half stock rifles; some quite nicely decorated. This is one of his better examples with german silver inlays.

Available at $2,200.00