Author Topic: Whats your opinion on this one? (Read 10283 times)

Fullstock longrifle · « **on:** October 15, 2009, 03:28:51 AM »

I saw this rifle on Gunbroker today, what do you guys think about it? I have my own opinion, but I would like to hear what others think. By the way, I have no connection to it and I don't know who listed it.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=143290462

billd · « **Reply #1 on:** October 15, 2009, 04:20:05 AM »

Email EK and ask him. Same town he lives in. Small town, if you blink you miss it.

Eric Kettenburg · « **Reply #2 on:** October 15, 2009, 04:32:43 AM »

Frank I'll be glad to answer any questions you have but preferably via email. I don't want to shill for it in public. You actually looked at it a few years ago in Carlisle, as did many others. I did not own it at the time. Attracted a good deal of interest, it has been HEAVILY - and I mean heavily - reworked.

Fullstock longrifle · « **Reply #3 on:** October 15, 2009, 05:03:21 AM »

Email sent.

Frank

tallbear · « **Reply #4 on:** October 15, 2009, 05:05:35 AM »

Eric
Very cool rifle!!!I have a qestion about the patchbox cavity.It's hard to tell because of the shadow in the picture.Does the dovetail in the stock continue to the bottom of the cavity without a little ledge and is it rounded in the bottom?

Thanks!!!
Mitch

Eric Kettenburg · « **Reply #5 on:** October 15, 2009, 01:25:52 PM »

Nope, standard dovetail and flat bottom.

Tom Currie · « **Reply #6 on:** October 15, 2009, 03:13:53 PM »

Reworked or not that's a cool rifle. I like the " non standard " carving. It's always nice to see something different.

Majorjoel · « **Reply #7 on:** October 15, 2009, 03:38:20 PM »

I too like the carving and all of the detailing in all the right places. The tang carving is most unique. Great lines on this piece as well. I'd sure like to see the whole gun with it's halfstock configuration. Does it have a poured nose cap, a barrel rib?? This would be a good example for our continueing debate about restoration.

Dphariss · « **Reply #8 on:** October 15, 2009, 03:42:23 PM »

Oh brother....
Dan

Acer Saccharum · « **Reply #9 on:** October 15, 2009, 04:52:40 PM »

That is fantastic carving.

Stophel · « **Reply #10 on:** October 15, 2009, 05:34:47 PM »

One of my favorites. Eastern Berks county guns are IT, as far as I'm concerned.

rich pierce · « **Reply #11 on:** October 15, 2009, 06:11:17 PM »

I think this is the same one EK wrote a MB article about. Or darn close. Even if it is heavily reworked, you could ask yourself this: what would it cost to have it made today?

Acer Saccharum · « **Reply #12 on:** October 15, 2009, 07:11:32 PM »

If it goes for $2K, it's almost worth it just for a carving study. Good God, man, how oft do you see stuff like this?

Tanselman · « **Reply #13 on:** October 16, 2009, 07:51:22 AM »

Before I got too excited about this rifle, I'd want to inspect it more closely to determine how much is original, and if the carving has been enhanced and/or expanded. Sometimes restoration can get too aggressive, and then you don't know what you're really looking at. Shelby Gallien

Eric Kettenburg · « **Reply #14 on:** October 16, 2009, 02:07:20 PM »

Well I hate to keep posting here while the auction is running but I think something needs to be cleared up:

There has been no modern restoration. At one point it was taken apart to some extent and cleaned/waxed a little - that's it. All of the work to it was done at whatever point it was converted to percussion in (probably) the mid-19th century. The wood is all-original, carving is all-original and untouched, wood box is all-original. Lock and barrel are original to gun but obviously the whole piece has been heavily reworked: it was basically converted from a flint fullstock rifle to a percussion German-style halfstock fowler. Stock has not been sanded. I'm sure its been refinished, probably multiple times, over the course of it's life and probably restained, but anything done to it was done a long time ago. No added wood, no sanding, just wear. The "black" look to some parts is in the wood, not modern gunk or paint.

t.caster · « **Reply #15 on:** October 16, 2009, 05:59:13 PM »

My opinion? Incredible carving, fantastic, beautiful shaping, wow...just like everyone else said! What's not to like? Lot of history and adventure in that piece!

mr. no gold · « **Reply #16 on:** October 16, 2009, 06:11:53 PM »

The carving on this rifle pretty well matches up with that on a Peter Angstat rifle on display in the Berks County Rifle Exhibit. Same for the architecture.
The wood lid patchbox is icing on the cake. Grand rifle!
Dick

rich pierce · « **Reply #17 on:** October 16, 2009, 08:00:29 PM »

That Ottho feller was not shy with his carving. It's easy to see he enjoyed himself.

Tom Currie · « **Reply #18 on:** October 16, 2009, 09:09:39 PM »

Anyone notice how the front lock bolt is tapered to allow for clearance of the ramrod ? Fifth or sixth picture down.

rich pierce · « **Reply #19 on:** October 16, 2009, 10:03:12 PM »

Quote from: Tom Currie on October 16, 2009, 09:09:39 PM

Anyone notice how the front lock bolt is tapered to allow for clearance of the ramrod ? Fifth or sixth picture down.

yep, now I don't feel so bad.

debnal · « **Reply #20 on:** October 19, 2009, 09:26:08 PM »

WOW! What an auction.

JTR · « **Reply #21 on:** October 20, 2009, 01:02:13 AM »

After some emails back and forth with Eric I gave it a good try, but lost out.
The last several minutes were wing-dingers for sure!

I'm happy he got a good price for it.
Wonder if anyone here bought it?

John

YANKEEDROIE · « **Reply #22 on:** October 24, 2009, 03:33:28 PM »

Think this auction reflects the real value of the gun or was it another battle just to own one

debnal · « **Reply #23 on:** October 24, 2009, 06:09:57 PM »

I think the auction relects the value of the gun if it was exactly as stated.

jwh1947 · « **Reply #24 on:** October 28, 2009, 12:39:09 AM »

I repeat myself, longrifles are a commodity, pure and simple. All you need to obtain the best collection that ever existed is money. Actually, compared to Picassos, let alone Rembrandts or Cord automobiles, the guns are still inexpensive. Now, the question is, do you want a few Picassos or Becks on the wall, or do you want to placate mom and put that addition on the house or upgrade the car? Your choice, but the worth of a happy spouse is of more value than any material object...so I've been told.

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Author Topic: Whats your opinion on this one? (Read 10283 times)

billd

YANKEEDROIE

jwh1947