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EXEMPLARY GOLDEN AGE JACOB SELL, THE YOUNGER

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:4,000.00 USD Estimated At:8,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD
EXEMPLARY GOLDEN AGE JACOB SELL, THE YOUNGER

KENTUCKY RIFLE. Cal. 48. NSN. Bbl. 51". This is a most unusual gun in that it was no doubt made by Jacob Sell but utilized a slightly earlier very long bbl. marked “JACOB FERREE”. This massive gun w/ beautiful lines measures 66 1/2" overall w/ 51" oct. bbl. The architecture & hardware are quite similar to other noted examples. 4 Piece, 5 piercing patchbox terminates in stylized horses head which is virtually identical to an example, figure 179 Kindig. A fine engraved hunters horn is found on patchbox lid. Stock is elegantly incised & low relief carved. Kindig states “Jacob Sells carving is really top quality. He understood the proportion & curve of the C-scroll & he utilized them to the best advantage. There are few men who designed & executed carvings better than this man. He carved in beautiful high relief & in generally the same four places; to the rear of the ramrod pipe, to the rear of the bbl. tang, forward of the patchbox & extensively on the cheekpiece side. In his carving, he repeated a few designs time after time.” This gun has similar carving rear of ramrod thimble, rear of bbl. tang & nice relief framing at wrist wrapping around patchbox & forward of cheekpiece into low relief scroll before terminating in lg. incised panel w/ a central lg. oval w/ sm. circle designs throughout unlike any other Sell we are aware of. This is a unique, possibly earlier Jacob Sell, the younger as it also has earlier style curled trigger & fine hand forged lock w/ rebated tail. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: interesting pair of letters from March 1962 concerning this rifle when sold in 1962 from William G. Crews to Dr. Howard Engle stating this gun was by Ferree, properly describing it & stating its superior condition but not knowing the true maker. This gun has not been seen by the collecting community in 59 years & only now is properly identified. CONDITION: very good to fine overall. There is no discernible alteration or repair visible. Stock is fine w/ no defects other than the tack mark left by veteran pioneer collector Herman Dean. Lock & bbl. have dark smooth iron patina. Signature is partially discernible. Brass has all been polished showing brazing lines during the mfg. of trigger guard. Mechanically fine w/ clear, smooth lightly rifled bore. PROVENANCE: Ex Herman Dean collection: Ex William Crews: Ex Dr. Howard Engle collection (1962). (01-19966/JS). ANTIQUE. $8,000-12,000.