Most probably made by Kuntz and placed on this stock at a later date. Perhaps in period and perhaps not
Comments:
This patchbox was recently acquired on a 47" barrel rather plain longrifle with no other evidence of "quality or artistic merit" of the order of the patchbox on the rifle. The toe plate is very simple in its engraving and clearly from another hand. Close examination shows that the lower side plate does not quite abut the butt plate as it should. However, the quality of the patchbox, in particular the engraving, seems worthy of note. It is reminiscent of Kunz' work but no other other similar patchbox, either on a signed piece or attributed to Kunz, has been located....thus the attribution.
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A great box, altho reused from an earlier rifle. The picture is a little fuzzy, but the lid might be a replacement. You can see on the upper side leaf, along the butt plate edge, a small black "dot" that is an original pin hole, no longer needed since the upper leaf has been shortened at the rear. Still, an interesting box with great engraving, and worth preserving in the museum in the "relics" category.
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