Product Details
AN EXCEPTIONAL 40-BORE FLINTLOCK SPORTING RIFLE WITH EARLY FULL-LENGTH TUBE-SIGHT, SIGNED 'GALLARDAS', MODEL 'KENTUCKY', no visible serial number,
circa 1770, of 'jaeger' style and probably produced in America by early Dutch settlers, with 43 1/4in. octagonal barrel, a ring of stars stamped to the muzzle-flat, the top of muzzle engraved with a ball-band and naive vines, similar repeated at breech, the top-flat engraved with a star forwards of the rear-sight dove-tail (sight removed, missing), solid squared top-tang engraved with naive vines and a tulip, curved and radiused lock signed 'GALLARDAS' and engraved with flowing vines, plain hammer, unbridled frizzen, border-carved birds-eye maple full-stock with 'roman-nose' comb, diamond section wrist inlaid with an engraved brass squirrel, hinged border engraved brass patchbox with pierced and engraved floral hinge and surround, brass crescent heel-plate with faceted top-spur and flat toe-plate, angular raised cheek-piece inlaid with a brass engraved eagle with outstretched wings, faceted trigger-guard tang with raised, spurred finger-piece, plain trigger-blade with pierced rear web, various further inlaid brass motifs to the fore-end including a bear, a rabbit and two fish, engraved dumbell-ended take-down pin escutcheons, brass ramrod throat with bulbous mount, roll-ended ramrod thimbles and engraved muzzle-cap, possible replacement brass tipped ramrod finished to represent stripy maple, TOGETHER WITH an early iron tube-sight measuring 48in. overall, the front mount utilising the original dove-tail for the fore-sight blade (fore-sight missing), the rear mount with finger-wheel adjusters mounted on a pillar affixed to the wrist, internal post and circle element, possibly originally designed to accept various lenses now absent.
Other Notes: Guns so equipped were utilised by the Confederate States during the American Civil War as 'sniper rifles'. It is unusual to find flintlock examples.
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Estimate £3,000-5,000