The William K. du Pont Collection: Important Americana from Rocky Hill

The William K. du Pont Collection: Important Americana from Rocky Hill

View full screen - View 1 of Lot 221. Extremely Fine and Rare Carved and Figured Maple, Engraved Brass, Silver Inlaid and Steel Flintlock American Long Rifle, Martin Fry III (1769-1841), York, Pennsylvania, Circa 1790.

Extremely Fine and Rare Carved and Figured Maple, Engraved Brass, Silver Inlaid and Steel Flintlock American Long Rifle, Martin Fry III (1769-1841), York, Pennsylvania, Circa 1790

Auction Closed

January 23, 10:36 PM GMT

Estimate

40,000 - 60,000 USD

Lot Details

Description

Extremely Fine and Rare Carved and Figured Maple, Engraved Brass, Silver Inlaid and Steel Flintlock American Long Rifle

Martin Fry III (1769-1841)

York, Pennsylvania

Circa 1790


The octagonal barrel engraved Martin Frey with a .55 caliber rifled bore.

Length 70 3/4 in.; Barrel Length 54 1/4 in.

Joe Kindig, Jr. & Son, York, Pennsylvania
Joe Kindig, Jr., Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle in it's Golden Age, (York, PA: George Shumway, 1960), no. 142, pp. 325-329.

Some of the best rifles of the Golden Age came from the York school after the Revolutionary War. This rifle made by the gunsmith Martin Fry III of York, Pennsylvania (1769-1841) contains an impressive 54 1/4-inch barrel, fourteen silver inlays, and a large four-piece pierced and engraved patchbox; undoubtedly made for a very wealthy gentleman that served as a status symbol and was used for the sport of shooting rather than to hunt or fight. Many people traveled west to York after the war and the area attracted many accomplished gunsmiths who encountered heightened competition in counties such as Lancaster. As a result, the level of artistic quality and ingenuity in this region flourished. This Fry rifle is a premier example of the Golden Age with several rare and extravagant features. The extremely long barrel has an original folding-leaf rear sight, which is unlike any other eighteenth century Pennsylvania long rifle. The oversized four-piece patchbox with six piercings, designed rococo C-scrolls and flowers, is evidence of the new high level of competitive environment, and the trophies of arms engraved near the hinge end of the patchbox lid is a decorative feature often used on foreign guns, but which are almost non-existent on American rifles. While it is not uncommon for rifles of this region to have multiple inlaid pieces, the fourteen silver inlays counted on this rifle are extensive and include two hearts on either side, to the rear of the lock and sideplate, as well as the Great Seal of the United States above the cheekpiece. The stock is superbly carved with an eclectic mix of relief, incised, and checkering, predominantly composed of rococo C-scrolls beautifully designed on the buttstock and wrist, forward of the patchbox, to the rear of the barrel tang, and to the rear of the ramrod pipe. There is also very fine forestock and lower butt stock moldings. The architecture of this rifle is typical of the York school featuring long slender lines and a high accentuated comb. The underside of the barrel is marked “P H” with a small spread eagle between the letters. Kindig concludes the mark is of Phillip Heckherd, who made barrels for these guns.


There is a note, presumably written by Bill du Pont, of a conversation he had with Joe Kindig III. This gun was lent to German museums by the Kindigs and chosen to represent the best of American long rifles of its period. Joe III believed that it was the best York School gun in the collection.