3418

JOHN GRAEFF FLINTLOCK KENTUCKY LONG

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,750.00 USD Estimated At:3,500.00 - 5,000.00 USD
JOHN GRAEFF FLINTLOCK KENTUCKY LONG
RIFLE. Cal. about 50. NSN. Bbl. 44" oct. w/ slight dbl. taper measuring 15/16" across the flats at muzzle. The top flat is script marked "J. Graeff". "American Gunsmiths" by Frank M. Sellers lists John Graeff as a gunsmith in Lancaster, PA 1773-1808 & as having made contract muskets for the state of Pennsylvania w/ Abraham Henry in 1798. "Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle" by Joe Kendig, Jr. lists the following information about John Graeff: "We know more about John Graeff than we know about many of the gunsmiths. The earliest record we have found which calls him a gunsmith is a court summons dated 1775. In the General Hand Papers of 1794 he is credited w/ making at least 156 rifles for the government". "On April 11, 1798, John Graeff & Abraham Henry contracted to supply two thousand muskets to the State of Pennsylvania, according to the Archive". "John Graeff's will was recorded in Lancaster in 1804." Dovetail attached blade front sight w/ fixed V notch rear sight. Plain unmarked lock. Plain single trigger. Pin fastened full length curly maple stock is a restoration. Patch box, buttplate & trigger guard all appear original. Sideplate & hardware forward of lock are all restorations. Right side of stock is fit w/ a rectangular lid segmented brass patchbox w/ daisy finial & borderline engraving consistent w/ Graeff's work. Restored ramrod has brass tip. Overall length: 59 1/2". WEIGHT: 9 lbs., 7.9 oz. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: copy of John L Carnprobst book "Allegheny Arsenal" & printed material w/ history pertaining to John Graeff. CONDITION: bbl. & lock have great dark "as-found" dark crusty patina. Original patch box, trigger guard & buttplate have medium mustard patina. The restored brass sideplate, thimbles, nose cap & ramrod tip have mixed mustard patina. Restored stock has inset toe repair & break repairs around lock. Lock is original flint w/ relined frizzen. Lock is mechanically sound w/ pitted rifled bore. (01-15759). ANTIQUE. $3,500-5,000.