RELIEF AND INCISED CARVED CURLY MAPLE RIFLE BY JOHN BONEWITZ MARKED WOMELDORF TOWN ON PATCHBOX.

SN NSN. 42-1/2″ full oct 60 Cal. smooth unmarked bbl. Overall 57-1/2″, butt is 4-3/4″ x 1-7/8″. 4-pc engraved brass patchbox with Bonewitz’s characteristic finial. Stock is made from excellent quality curly maple with a high cheekpiece and a well defined high comb. Patchbox door is engraved “Womeldorf Town” and catch is fasted by 2 rivets, typical of his work. A very similar rifle is pictured on plate no.80 on p. 211 of Kindig’s Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle in it’s Golden Age. Cheekpiece side of butt is nicely relief carved with C-scrolls and serpentine detail carved in relief under cheekpiece is considered his “signature”. Carving under cheek flows into wrist carving which is also characteristic of Bonewitz’s design. Very nicely engraved silver eagle inlay positioned over long brass inlay on cheek. Nicely relief carved around bbl tang and incised carved at rear ramrod furrule. John Bonewitz is listed in 1792 and 1800 tax lists of Heidelberg Township, Berks County. He worked in the town of Womelsdorf, a town in Heidelberg Township, originally called Middletown. Bonewitz is one of four masters of Womelsdorf School working from at least 1779-1809. PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. Douglas Sirkin. CONDITION: Fine example of a Bonewitz rifle which is one of few in existence with town name on patchbox lid and with silver eagle on cheek. 26″ of forend wood professionally replaced. Very small 1/2″ x 1/4″ triangular patch of wood has been inlet to left of bbl tang and 2″ section of wood under lock where apparently a broken main spring had split wood. Flintlock may be a replacement. 4-49876 RG15 (12,000-25,000) – Lot 1482

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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
	1482	$10,350.00	RELIEF AND INCISED CARVED CURLY MAPLE RIFLE BY JOHN BONEWITZ MARKED WOMELDORF TOWN ON PATCHBOX. SN NSN. 42-1/2″ full oct 60 Cal. smooth unmarked bbl. Overall 57-1/2″, butt is 4-3/4″ x 1-7/8″. 4-pc engraved brass patchbox with Bonewitz’s characteristic finial. Stock is made from excellent quality curly maple with a high cheekpiece and a well defined high comb. Patchbox door is engraved “Womeldorf Town” and catch is fasted by 2 rivets, typical of his work. A very similar rifle is pictured on plate no.80 on p. 211 of Kindig’s Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle in it’s Golden Age. Cheekpiece side of butt is nicely relief carved with C-scrolls and serpentine detail carved in relief under cheekpiece is considered his “signature”. Carving under cheek flows into wrist carving which is also characteristic of Bonewitz’s design. Very nicely engraved silver eagle inlay positioned over long brass inlay on cheek. Nicely relief carved around bbl tang and incised carved at rear ramrod furrule. John Bonewitz is listed in 1792 and 1800 tax lists of Heidelberg Township, Berks County. He worked in the town of Womelsdorf, a town in Heidelberg Township, originally called Middletown. Bonewitz is one of four masters of Womelsdorf School working from at least 1779-1809. PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. Douglas Sirkin. CONDITION: Fine example of a Bonewitz rifle which is one of few in existence with town name on patchbox lid and with silver eagle on cheek. 26″ of forend wood professionally replaced. Very small 1/2″ x 1/4″ triangular patch of wood has been inlet to left of bbl tang and 2″ section of wood under lock where apparently a broken main spring had split wood. Flintlock may be a replacement. 4-49876 RG15 (12,000-25,000) – Lot 1482 Click here to view provenance 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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RELIEF AND INCISED CARVED CURLY MAPLE RIFLE BY JOHN BONEWITZ MARKED WOMELDORF TOWN ON PATCHBOX.