FINE BELLES PERCUSSION KENTUCKY RIFLE.

FINE BELLES PERCUSSION KENTUCKY RIFLE. NSN. 46 Cal. 37-3/8” oct bbl. Signed in script “P + Belles” on top of the bbl. Peter Belles worked in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania from around 1825 until his death in 1885. His signature varied in spelling, but this seems to be the most common. A Peter Belles rifle is shown in Kindig. This rifle is decorated with incised carving and many German silver inlays. There is an eagle in the cheekpiece, a fish on either side of the wrist and stars alternating with the oval bbl key escutcheons along the forearm. The ramrod pipes, wear plate, triggerguard, toeplate, buttplate and fore piece patchbox are brass. This rifle was made late in his career as it has an orig percussion lock fastened by a single screw. A side slot near the rear of the bbl has been filled. CONDITION: Smooth brown patina overall with light pitting at the breech. Wood has minor handling marks and a crack at the lockplate screw. Nipple has been replaced. Lockplate has been cleaned but matches the bbl. Mechanically fine. 4-60218 FS735 (3,000-4,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2006

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	88	$3,450.00	FINE BELLES PERCUSSION KENTUCKY RIFLE. NSN. 46 Cal. 37-3/8” oct bbl. Signed in script “P + Belles” on top of the bbl. Peter Belles worked in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania from around 1825 until his death in 1885. His signature varied in spelling, but this seems to be the most common. A Peter Belles rifle is shown in Kindig. This rifle is decorated with incised carving and many German silver inlays. There is an eagle in the cheekpiece, a fish on either side of the wrist and stars alternating with the oval bbl key escutcheons along the forearm. The ramrod pipes, wear plate, triggerguard, toeplate, buttplate and fore piece patchbox are brass. This rifle was made late in his career as it has an orig percussion lock fastened by a single screw. A side slot near the rear of the bbl has been filled. CONDITION: Smooth brown patina overall with light pitting at the breech. Wood has minor handling marks and a crack at the lockplate screw. Nipple has been replaced. Lockplate has been cleaned but matches the bbl. Mechanically fine. 4-60218 FS735 (3,000-4,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2006 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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