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Frontier Firearms from the Lifetime Collection of Larry Ness
|
- Sale 1987
Live
| Cincinnati
Jun 8 | 10:00 AM EDT
Live
| Cincinnati
Sale 1987
| Cincinnati
| Cincinnati
Estimate$1,000 – $1,500
.58 caliber. 35.75" pinned three-stage octagon to round barrel. SN: NSN. Heavily oxidized metal, brass and iron furniture, full-length walnut stock. Percussion altered early form flint lock marked with the "{Circle-Fox}" logo forward of the hammer and marked in an arched vertical line at the tail "ROLFE". Top flat of barrel with "{Circle-Fox}" logo and with British Board of Ordnance proofs on the left angled flat, including the expected "{Crown}/GR/{Broad Arrow}" and "{Crossed Scepters}". No visible Ordnance mark on the lock. Crude percussion alteration without the flint battery holes filled, crudely made percussion hammer and typical "blacksmith" style drum bolster. Typical 3-screw brass serpent side plate, nailed flat brass buttplate, oversized iron triggerguard and two corrugated brass ramrod pipes securing an old wood ramrod.
William Rolfe was Birmingham based gunmaker who worked circa 1807-1817 and was contractor to both the North West Company and the British Board of Ordnance. He was one of 16 Birmingham makers to receive Board of Ordnance contracts in 1813 to produce guns for the British government to provide to their Native Allies during the War of 1812. Rolfe delivered a total of 1,335 guns, including 134 pistols. This is one of those War of 1812 contract guns, that clearly saw continued use well into the mid-19th century.
Good showing heavy wear and use. Barrel with a thickly oxidized brown patina, scattered surface roughness and moderate amounts of scattered pitting, particularly around the breech and bolster area and on the lock. Not mechanically functional, poor bore is heavily pitted and worn. Buttplate tang is loose, breech plug tang broken and secured by an old screw without a slotted head. Stock with numerous chips and slivered loss, particularly along the forend and around the lock mortise and with some old drying cracks in the butt.
The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue description or a condition report shall not amount to a full accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Freeman's staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the Department prior to bidding.
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Tim Carey
Associate Vice President, Head of Department, Arms, Armor and Militaria
