Image Lot Price Description









2003
$0.00

EXTREMELY RARE AND FINE ARCHIVE OF AMERICAN PATRIOT JOHN GLEN, Jr. WHICH INCLUDES HIS INSCRIBED REVOLUTIONARY WAR AMERICAN SILVER MOUNTED, FLINTLOCK OFFICER’S FUSIL.

The treasure in this archive is, perhaps, the finest known example of an American made fusil of the American Revolutionary War period. The maple stocked fusil has its original commercial flintlock marked “JOVER” and the 38 ½” 65 caliber smooth bore barrel has Birmingham proofs. All of the mountings are non-hallmarked silver with relief Rococo design and fine chiseled martial engraving. The ornate thumbplate has Glen’s initials in the 18th century style where “I’s” and “J’s” are interchangeable, “JGJr”. The sole of the buttplate is engraved in large block letters “JOHN GLEN Jr”. There is fine relief carving at the barrel tang. The overall architecture of the gun is superb. This fusil presents beautifully and was made for a man of means. It represents the finest achievement in mid 18th century American gun making. Col. John Glen Jr (1735-1828) was Quarter Master of the Continental Army of the Northern Department and was a close associate of George Washington, who on occasion stayed at the Glen Plantation in New York. Glen had prior service in the French and Indian Wars in various New York units from 1755. Archive also includes two documents: one bureaucratic signed by John Glen Sr October 21, 1745 and the second is a fine archivally framed document dated 1758, appointing John Glen Jnr as 2nd Lieutenant of the 3rd Company of Militia of Schenectady, signed by James Delancy, the British Lieutenant-Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Province of New York. The chair, which is a typical New England mid-18th century splat back chair, was in the Glen home when Commander-in-Chief George Washington visited and stayed there in 1775 during the Revolutionary War and at other times according to provided research. General Washington could very well have sat in this chair and could have handled this wonderful fusil that no doubt was a prized possession. After the Revolutionary War, the area around the Glen home was renamed “Glen’s Falls, NY’ a name by which it is known today. The area was originally named Wing’s Falls, but Abraham Wing was not the ardent patriot as John Glen and John Glen was a patriot! There is a large file of research concerning the naming of “Glen’s Falls” and also information concerning George Washington’s visits to Col. Glen’s house and provenance on this archive. PROVENANCE: Montreal auction (1970s) of Glen Family items, descended in John Glen’s Jr’s oldest son’s family who were Torries and relocated to Canada prior to the War of 1812. Ex-collection Mark Berube, 2000; Alan Para collection, 2009. CONDITION: Fusil is very good to fine overall. Metal surfaces are dark grey/brown with light pitting. The wood has a rich, mellow, hand-worn patina. The silver mounts have a soft grey patina with minor losses from over 250 years. In the accompanying 2013 appraisal document by well known American Revolutionary War, Kentucky rifle expert and collector Stephen Hench of Lancaster, PA he states: “To the best of my knowledge, there is no finer, documented silver mounted American officer’s fusil from the Revolutionary war than this surviving example of John Glen Jr’s”. Framed commission is very good, complete with seal and stamp. Contemporary 2009 carved powder horn made for display purposes is in fine condition made in the style of 1759 when Glen was in the militia during the French and Indian Wars. Chair- old multiple coats of paint removed. Proper left side of splat absent. Seat remains mostly intact with normal and expected wear. 51936-1 (30,000-50,000) – Lot 2003

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Auction: Fine Art, Asian & Antiques Auction - August 2017
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.