EXTREMELY FINE INCISED CARVED BUCK’S COUNTY RIFLE ATTRIBUTED TO JOHN SCHULER.

SN NSN. Cal. .55. 58″ overall, 4-1/4″ x 1-1/2″ buttplate, 42-3/4″ full oct unsigned, smooth bore bbl. Bucks County is located between Philadelphia and the Lehigh Valley along the important early trade route used for trade with the large Indian settlement in the Lehigh/Northampton Country area. Many very important Golden Age early Kentucky Rifle gunsmiths spent some time in the Bucks County Area on their way to settle eventually in the Lehigh/Northampton County Area or west into Berks County. There are very few gunsmiths, however, who remained in the Bucks County Area including Shuler, Weiker and Dubbs. For this reason, existing rifles by Bucks County gunsmiths are few and far between. This rifle exhibits the early scrolled trigger and wide trigger bow as found in the very early guns of the period. The side opening one-piece engraved brass patchbox is unique to guns of the Bucks County School. The engraved “propeller design” on the patchbox is Shuler’s accepted signature. This gun has fine line incised carving forward and rear of cheekpiece and forward of the brass patchbox. Very fine line carving is characteristic of guns made in the Bucks County School. The heavy, beveled brass sideplate is an early feature and the small horns surrounding the rear sideplate screw are characteristic of the school as well. Some Bucks County characteristics were carried over into the Lehigh/Northampton County School including the stud on the forward part of the trigger guard bow and the fleur-de-lis design carved behind the pointed bbl tang. It is a characteristic of existing Bucks County rifles that the ramrod entrance ferrule has a long, decorative rear flange. This rifle is unique in that the flange extends all the way to the trigger guard, effectively creating a brass saddleplate. Another characteristic which identifies this gun as Bucks County is the very short 5/8″ brass nosecap which again is unique to the area. Though unsigned, the attribution of John Schuler is most probable, if not definitive. John Schuler is listed in Kauffman in 1811, but this gun appears to have been made in the late 18th century. This is an outstanding & beautiful gun. PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. William Dupree. CONDITION: Very good to fine overall. Metal is grey & smooth with some slight staining & pitting at breech. Stock is especially fine with good red color and much of its orig varnish. Only wood restoration appears to be a small 1″ inset just forward of lock. There is also a repair above wear plate on right side contemporary to its time of use which was repaired with a small brass tack. Though reconverted, a complete orig lock with matching patina was utilized. 4-54772 RG (20,000-30,000) – Lot 1480

Auction: Firearms - March 2015

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
	1480	$18,400.00	EXTREMELY FINE INCISED CARVED BUCK’S COUNTY RIFLE ATTRIBUTED TO JOHN SCHULER. SN NSN. Cal. .55. 58″ overall, 4-1/4″ x 1-1/2″ buttplate, 42-3/4″ full oct unsigned, smooth bore bbl. Bucks County is located between Philadelphia and the Lehigh Valley along the important early trade route used for trade with the large Indian settlement in the Lehigh/Northampton Country area. Many very important Golden Age early Kentucky Rifle gunsmiths spent some time in the Bucks County Area on their way to settle eventually in the Lehigh/Northampton County Area or west into Berks County. There are very few gunsmiths, however, who remained in the Bucks County Area including Shuler, Weiker and Dubbs. For this reason, existing rifles by Bucks County gunsmiths are few and far between. This rifle exhibits the early scrolled trigger and wide trigger bow as found in the very early guns of the period. The side opening one-piece engraved brass patchbox is unique to guns of the Bucks County School. The engraved “propeller design” on the patchbox is Shuler’s accepted signature. This gun has fine line incised carving forward and rear of cheekpiece and forward of the brass patchbox. Very fine line carving is characteristic of guns made in the Bucks County School. The heavy, beveled brass sideplate is an early feature and the small horns surrounding the rear sideplate screw are characteristic of the school as well. Some Bucks County characteristics were carried over into the Lehigh/Northampton County School including the stud on the forward part of the trigger guard bow and the fleur-de-lis design carved behind the pointed bbl tang. It is a characteristic of existing Bucks County rifles that the ramrod entrance ferrule has a long, decorative rear flange. This rifle is unique in that the flange extends all the way to the trigger guard, effectively creating a brass saddleplate. Another characteristic which identifies this gun as Bucks County is the very short 5/8″ brass nosecap which again is unique to the area. Though unsigned, the attribution of John Schuler is most probable, if not definitive. John Schuler is listed in Kauffman in 1811, but this gun appears to have been made in the late 18th century. This is an outstanding & beautiful gun. PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. William Dupree. CONDITION: Very good to fine overall. Metal is grey & smooth with some slight staining & pitting at breech. Stock is especially fine with good red color and much of its orig varnish. Only wood restoration appears to be a small 1″ inset just forward of lock. There is also a repair above wear plate on right side contemporary to its time of use which was repaired with a small brass tack. Though reconverted, a complete orig lock with matching patina was utilized. 4-54772 RG (20,000-30,000) – Lot 1480 Auction: Firearms - March 2015 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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EXTREMELY FINE INCISED CARVED BUCK’S COUNTY RIFLE ATTRIBUTED TO JOHN SCHULER.