Author Topic: William Bunch Auctions (Read 3669 times)

wabeek · « **on:** March 17, 2022, 04:19:55 PM »

There are several interesting longrifles scheduled for auction March 22 at William Bunch Auctions, Chadds Ford. They are in the 10353 series. I don't know how to just plug in the site for you so, that's the 'fishing hole' but you'll have to do the fishing!

JTR · « **Reply #1 on:** March 17, 2022, 06:26:08 PM »

This one should catch someone's eye!
https://bid.bunchauctions.com/lots/view/4-58XU08/full-stock-figured-maple-flintlock-rifle-signed-legler-45-cal

rlm · « **Reply #2 on:** March 17, 2022, 08:18:42 PM »

I’m sure the name stamped on this rifle is Lechler. He was a really good maker who worked in Carlisle PA. Very good rifle. Appears to be original flint.

JTR · « **Reply #3 on:** March 22, 2022, 09:09:53 PM »

The Lechler sold for $8500.
Hope someone here got it! I tried but was being tightwad...

JTR · « **Reply #4 on:** March 24, 2022, 05:37:01 PM »

Yes, one of our guys!
Congratulations to the new owner!

mr. no gold · « **Reply #5 on:** March 27, 2022, 07:56:50 PM »

Alright! I confess, I was the lucky bidder on this rifle. I have always wanted a nicely carved gun and this one seemed to fit those desires as it has carving in all the right places.The gun does have some warts, but they will eventually go away. The bid came to me at eighty five hundred and stopped. The gun was mine. Still dancing around the house over it! My thanks to those who made it possible by posting the information leading up to this event. I will put up some photos when I finally get it. This one was probably my last shot at getting a nice Ky Rifle, so I am really tickled to have it.
Dick

Shreckmeister · « **Reply #6 on:** March 27, 2022, 08:29:09 PM »

Congratulations on a fine rifle. It’s nice to see where them go where they are appreciated. Many of us dream to be the caretakers of a fine original carved rifle. This is a great example.

jdm · « **Reply #7 on:** March 28, 2022, 03:14:21 AM »

Congratulations Dick! I couldn't think of anyone more deserving . I'm looking forward to seeing more pictures. Jim

mr. no gold · « **Reply #8 on:** March 28, 2022, 03:20:53 AM »

Rob, Jim thank you for your good wishes. To be honest, I really don't know when I will get to see and handle this gun because getting it out here to the west coast is a convoluted process. It is going to be making several stops before it hits my front doorstep. Had to send a
personal check to the auction house. They don't take cards on a first tine purchase, so that will take a week or two for clearance. Then, there is the matter of finding a shipper. I think that I have that covered now. So, hopefully by summer, there will be some photos.
Thanks again!
Dick

Dphariss · « **Reply #9 on:** March 28, 2022, 04:57:58 PM »

You now own a very well done and VERY nicely carved rifle. Congratulations.

JTR · « **Reply #10 on:** March 28, 2022, 06:10:10 PM »

Way to go, Dick!
That's a nice rifle and will be a fine addition!
John

MuskratMike · « **Reply #11 on:** March 28, 2022, 08:59:57 PM »

Dick: Congratulations on acquiring a piece of history. No one gets to own something like this but gets the honor of being the next caretaker. Again I salute you my friend.

Buck · « **Reply #12 on:** March 29, 2022, 12:37:08 PM »

Dick,

Congratulations, beautiful rifle. Enjoy it my friend - you deserve it.

Buck

J.M.Browning · « **Reply #13 on:** March 30, 2022, 04:19:14 AM »

Very nice enjoy your wonderful gun , congratulations!

mr. no gold · « **Reply #14 on:** March 31, 2022, 02:23:38 AM »

Dan, Buck, Mike, JTR & JM, thank you gents for your encouraging words. Let me tell you, 'buyer's remorse' set in quickly after I had hung up the phone in the auction. Lechler's work was an unknown animal when I went into this. I now know that I have an unsigned gun by him and it is devoid of signature, carving or any other definitive mark that says that he made the gun. It does have the same side plates on the box, but it has a daisy finial. This new one pretty well clinches the identification on the plain gun, however. So, what I hope to do is put them both up here on the Forum, side by side, for all to see and compare. That is the upside to all of this. Thanks again!
Dick

mr. no gold · « **Reply #15 on:** April 11, 2022, 05:19:00 AM »

Don't know if anyone caught it or not, but I just found out that the odd toe repair on this gun is made out of solid brass. Now, that is one weird repair to a busted out toe.
Dick

Buck2 · « **Reply #16 on:** April 11, 2022, 07:43:20 PM »

Dick - I did see that. The detail that I really thought was interesting was the termination of the forearm border carving at the nose cap - any chance you could post a picture of that?

Enjoy,

Buck

mr. no gold · « **Reply #17 on:** April 11, 2022, 08:02:56 PM »

Buck, that is an Adam Ernst feature and in truth it may not even belong on this rifle. Come to find out that the fore end has been
replaced, but it is so well done that it took a lot of scrutiny to find that out. I do not yet have the gun and probably won't for several months.
It is wending its way from Delaware down to WVA and then hopefully out west. I will be glad to provide photos on the happy day that I finally get it. I suspect that the gun was made in Carlisle and rightfully should have that type of a termination muzzle detail. Just don't know what that should look like. Thanks for asking.
Dick

JTR · « **Reply #18 on:** April 11, 2022, 09:03:06 PM »

The forearm replaced, that's surprising. From the pictures is easy enough to see the repair on the forearm, so are you saying that's where it's been replaced?
Dang, I liked that termination as well!
John

mr. no gold · « **Reply #19 on:** April 11, 2022, 09:43:43 PM »

You actually have to have the gun in hand to find the joint. It is located between the two middle RR pipes and it is in the form of a sine wave or a serpentine cure; 'S' shaped. The fellow who did this is really one for the books. Knowing about it and where it is, I still had to go to high magnification before seeing it. Not sure why he did the Ernst/York detail at the fore end, and there is no decision to redo what has already been done. If it is legit, it can stay with some modifications.
Dick

lexington1 · « **Reply #20 on:** April 11, 2022, 10:36:59 PM »

Way to go Dick! That is a really nice rifle. I still have the nice Zorger rifle that you talked me into buying in Las Vegas a few years ago. It didn't really take much convincing, lol.

mr. no gold · « **Reply #21 on:** April 12, 2022, 12:31:57 AM »

Lex, we missed you at the last show. Yes, I noticed that the Zorger kind of grew legs and chased you out the door. Glad that you are still pleased with it. It has found a good home. Since it is now a Western rifle, you need to cut the barrel down and put brass trade tack in the wood. A rawhide patch around the wrist would complete the picture.
Dick

JTR · « **Reply #22 on:** April 12, 2022, 01:50:39 AM »

Quote from: mr. no gold on April 12, 2022, 12:31:57 AM

Since it is now a Western rifle, you need to cut the barrel down and put brass trade tack in the wood. A rawhide patch around the wrist would complete the picture.

Hey Wes, I can take care of that for you! Matter a fact, I have a Genuwine antique brass patch that'll fit right on the wrist! Shouldn't be more than a couple grand, including the Genuwine brass tacks!
Labor extra, of course!
Helpfully, John ;-)

jdm · « **Reply #23 on:** April 12, 2022, 04:09:59 AM »

The brass piece on the toe reminded my of John Armstrong's butt plates how he put the steel on the top of the plate.
The carving is a joy to behold.
If you want to dump it in K.C. I'll hold for you.

lexington1 · « **Reply #24 on:** April 12, 2022, 04:41:25 AM »

I might consider if you could take off that carving behind the cheekpiece. Maybe shine the brass up real bright too. Were you guys at the Vegas show? I was there but didn't see you guys. I saw Mike.

Quote from: JTR on April 12, 2022, 01:50:39 AM

Quote from: mr. no gold on April 12, 2022, 12:31:57 AM
Since it is now a Western rifle, you need to cut the barrel down and put brass trade tack in the wood. A rawhide patch around the wrist would complete the picture.

Hey Wes, I can take care of that for you! Matter a fact, I have a Genuwine antique brass patch that'll fit right on the wrist! Shouldn't be more than a couple grand, including the Genuwine brass tacks!
Labor extra, of course!
Helpfully, John ;-)

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Author Topic: William Bunch Auctions (Read 3669 times)