xxSOLDxx KENTUCKY PISTOL NORTHAMPTON/LEHIGH SCHOOL

This is a really unusual and beautiful Kentucky pistol, reliably attributed to Peter Niehardt (1745-1813) who worked in Whitehall township Northampton County (now Lehigh County). This pistol is stocked in American walnut and is brass mounted with coin silver wire inlays( in lieu of carving) which renders this pistol uniquely beautiful. The original flintlock is a high grade Ketland & Co. lock. All of the brass mounts (triggerguard, sideplate, and butt cap) as well as the American made brass barrel are beautifully rococo engraved in the 18th century manor. The barrel is fastened to the stock with two barrel keys which have engraved silver escutcheons on either side of each key. The triggerguard has an arrow type finial typically found on Northampton school products and is profusely engraved with "C" & "S" scroll and rosette engraving.  The butt cap has a fleur d'lay engraved finial as well as well as rococo engraving around the screw. In addition to the brass mounts, there is a beautifully engraved coin silver thumbpiece as well as silver wire inlay behind the engraved  barrel tang.  The 7 5/8" smooth bore round brass .60cal American made barrel is absent of any proof markings but has beautufully engraved "C" & "S" scroll flourishes on the top measuring approximately 2 inches from the engraved tang. The silver wire inlay design is nearly identical to the raised carving design on a Kentucky pistol with a tiger maple stock and attributed to Peter Niehardt pictured in "Accoutrements I" by Jim Johnston, Pg. 49. (See last picture for a side by side comparison.)**SOLD**

Condition:  Good. There is a well done replaced sliver of wood above the length of the top of the lock but does not effect the wire inlay. In addition there is a 1/8" wide tapered sliver of wood restored on the lock side running 2" from the muzzle rearward. The sideplate side of the forestock has a crack  but no wood restoration.