GOLDEN AGE KENTUCKY RIFLE signed "J. Fondersmith" $4900-

This beautiful Golden Age Kentucky Rifle, built by John Fondersmith, measures 57 1/2 inches overall with a figured incised and raised carved maple full stock. The full octagon barrel measures 42 1/2 inches is rifled .56 caliber.  John Fondersmith, along with his twin brother Valentine, also a gunsmith, was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania on June 6, 1746.(1).  He is listed in various documents as being a gunsmith from 1779 to 1805 in Strasburg township, Lancaster County, PA (2). John Fondersmith provided muskets to the Pennsylvania militia in the last years of 18th century and early 19th century (3). His brother Valentine served in the Lancaster County Militia during the Revolutionary War (3).

The execution and design of this rifle is flawless.  The incise carving is profuse and appears forward and behind the cheekpiece, around the barrel tang and around the rear entry ferrule.  It is raised carved around the lock and side plate panels, along the toe line of the buttstock and on either side of the ramrod chanel along the length of the foreshock.  The engraved brass patchbox finial design follows the design of famous master gunsmiths Isaac Haines who worked in Lampeter Township, immediately adjacent to Strasburg Township, and to Jacob Hoak who also worked in Strasburg Township (See Ref. (2) Pgs.  and (3) Pgs.153-4.

Condition:  Very Good.  There are two small undetectable slivers restored on the lock side of the rifle, one wedge shaped just above and in front of the lock and one measuring 6" x 1/4" between the first and second ramrod ferrules. The rear buckhorn sight is restored. It has been reconverted to flint at one time. 

References:

(1). "Rifles of Colonial America" Vol. I by George Shumway. Pg. 312.  (2). ""The Lancaster Long Rifle" by John Kolar Pg 72-3 & Isaac Haines pic, Pgs 8-9.  (3)  "Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle in its Golden Age" by Joe King Jr. Pgs 113-4 & for Hoak pic., Pg 153-4.