REVOLUTIONARY WAR PERIOD KENTUCKY PISTOL

This early pistol was undoubtedly made by Peter Kuntz Sr. who was born 1757 in Lehigh/Whitehall Twp Pennsylvania. Peter was primarily a farmer and secondarily a riflemaker as needed during the Revolutionary War. Peter's ancestors immigrated to America in 1738. Peter is the father of the famous riflemaker brothers Jacob (1780-1876) and Peter Jr. (1782-?). The sons, Jacob and Peter Jr. probably apprenticed to their cousin Peter Neihart rather than their father. The attribution to Peter Sr. is based on the carving on the pistol behind the barrel tang, the sideflats, and the ramrod entry ferrule (see the last 4 pics with side-by-side comparisons to a signed Peter Kuntz Sr. rifle in my collection). This pistol measures 18 inches overall with a 10 5/8 inch octagon .50cal barrel. The stock is of the early Queen Anne style found on mid-18th century pistols but with rural Eastern Pennsylvania details. The full stock has its original violin finish and is tiger maple. The original Germanic style flintlock has "L.I" stamped in a cartouche on the interior of the lockplate. The brass mountings are completely American made and consist of cast and hammered brass, very much like the "Walking Purchase" rifle of Edward Marshal in the Mercer Museum. The triggerguard is classic early Pennsylvania in design as is the ramrod ferrule. The hammered brass sideplate resembles a Ca 1750 Dutch "moustache" type. The buttcap has a tappered and pointed finial, the precursor to the Lehigh "arrowhead". The nosecap is a wrap-around sheet brass with the stock endgrain exposed. Just a great pistol!

References; "Behold The Long Rifle" by Chandler & Whisker, Pg. 21.

Condition: Excellent