Probably Lehigh Valley, Lock Signed: J. Golcher, Philadelphia (Parts maker to the trade)
We are attributing this long gun to the Lehigh Valley region of southeastern Pennsylvania (with possible overlaps into Northampton or adjacent areas like Berks/Bucks).
The ornate engraved silver patchbox (four-piece with pierced/cutout side plates, along with heavy floral/scroll, and bird engraving, multiple screws, and articulated hinge) plus the extensive coin silver inlays including the reclining deer surmounting a rosette wreath, and fish/arrow motifs along the forestock ornament this gun as was favored in the Lehigh Valley rather than carving. Other coin silver furniture includes nose cap, pipes, trigger guard, buttplate; the lockplate screw escutcheons are silver. Above the raised cheekpiece is yet another engraved silver ornament…a large oval place with hand and rocker-engraved border.
The strongly figured maple stock is highly decorated and displays minimal stock carving (just checkered wrist and basic cheekpiece molding), and use of a commercial Philadelphia percussion lock [James Golcher] all align closely Lehigh Valley production. This style emphasizes decorative metalwork over the heavy relief.
The .48-caliber full octagon unsigned barrel is a smooth plum brown fading to smoky gray; rifling appears to remain in good condition. The original lock is signed by J. Golcher of Philadelphia; lock is plum-brown fading to dark gray and is mechanically fine.
Item Date: 1840s
Measurement: .48-Caliber. Overall Length: 57.5"; Barrel Length: 41.5"
Material: Highly figured curly maple stock, 17-pieces of silver and patchbox [4-pieces]
Item Condition: Very good, commensurate with age and use. Scattered trivial repairs to stock imperfections related to natural aging [shrinkage] that do not distract or compromise integrity. The gun displays well; action is tight and smooth.
Price: $4,975
SKU 1459-12
For More Information, Please Contact David Hillier at 978-597-8084 or email drh@aaawt.com.
Please click on images to expand.
