EXCEEDINGLY RARE MATCHED PAIR OF SIGNED J KUNZ PHILADELPHIA FLINTLOCK KENTUCKY PISTOLS.

SN NSN. Rare to encounter a signed matched pair of pistols made by Jacob Kunz (Kuntz), Philadelphia’s finest gunsmith. 8-7/8″ oct to rnd 48 Cal. smooth iron bbls signed “J KUNZ PHILADa”. Overall 14-1/2″. Curly maple stocks with checkered wrists show desirable red violin finish used by Kunz (Kuntz) and other gunsmiths who learned their trade in Lehigh Valley, PA, area. Brass furniture is consistent with Kunz’s work and nicely engraved. Each buttcap has an attractive finial extending approximately 2″ up the grip. Trigger guards and buttcaps are finely engraved. Each pistol has an oval silver wrist inlay engraved “GC” for the initials of the orig owner. Flintlocks are each marked “I KUNZ”. Pistol no.1 has an orig flintlock while pistol no.2 has been reconverted to flint. Brass nose cap on pistol no.2 is the orig nosecap, notched on bottom to accept ramrod, as is correct. Brass nosecap on pistol no.1 has been replaced with an incorrect cap. The only other pair of signed Kunz pistols known to the cataloger are those referred to as “The Liberty Bell Pistols” featured and pictured in an article in the 1930 issue of Antiques Magazine. That pair of pistols were purchased from the Mickley Family who claimed they had been owned by John Jacob Mickley, the Revolutionary War soldier who guarded the Liberty Bell on its famous trip from Philadelphia to Allentown in September of 1777. Joe Kindig Jr., author of the monumental book Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle in it’s Golden Age is quoted as having said there was only 1 Kentucky pistol made for every 200 Kentucky rifles. Surviving Kentucky pistols in matched pairs are therefor extremely rare and desirable. Add to this the fact that rifles by Kunz are owned and displayed by most of the major art museums, including the Metropolitan in NY and the Henry Francis DuPont Winterthur Museum. Jacob Kunz was born in Lehigh Township September 6, 1780. His products were eagerly sought after by sportsman in England, Scotland and America and brought high prices. Among his customers were Charles Peale, Albanus Logan, a descendent of William Penn’s secretary and the dueling pistols used by commodores Perry and Decatur in their famous duel. Kunz was an excellent engraver. In 1833, the Franklin Institute of Philadelphia awarded him with a silver medal for his skill and ingenuity. He died in Philadelphia August 6, 1876 at the age of 96 years. PROVENANCE: Ex William Locke and Thomas Seymour Collections. Frank Sujansky Collection. CONDITION: Each pistol is clean and solid throughout. Pistol no.2 has a reconverted lock and pistol no.1 has an incorrect brass nosecap that should be replaced as all wood is intact. Pistol no.2 was used harder than pistol no.1 so the grip checkering is more worn and grip and rear of trigger guard had been broken and repaired in period. 4-49449 RG23 (30,000-50,000) – Lot 2370

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2014

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
	2370	$25,300.00	EXCEEDINGLY RARE MATCHED PAIR OF SIGNED J KUNZ PHILADELPHIA FLINTLOCK KENTUCKY PISTOLS. SN NSN. Rare to encounter a signed matched pair of pistols made by Jacob Kunz (Kuntz), Philadelphia’s finest gunsmith. 8-7/8″ oct to rnd 48 Cal. smooth iron bbls signed “J KUNZ PHILADa”. Overall 14-1/2″. Curly maple stocks with checkered wrists show desirable red violin finish used by Kunz (Kuntz) and other gunsmiths who learned their trade in Lehigh Valley, PA, area. Brass furniture is consistent with Kunz’s work and nicely engraved. Each buttcap has an attractive finial extending approximately 2″ up the grip. Trigger guards and buttcaps are finely engraved. Each pistol has an oval silver wrist inlay engraved “GC” for the initials of the orig owner. Flintlocks are each marked “I KUNZ”. Pistol no.1 has an orig flintlock while pistol no.2 has been reconverted to flint. Brass nose cap on pistol no.2 is the orig nosecap, notched on bottom to accept ramrod, as is correct. Brass nosecap on pistol no.1 has been replaced with an incorrect cap. The only other pair of signed Kunz pistols known to the cataloger are those referred to as “The Liberty Bell Pistols” featured and pictured in an article in the 1930 issue of Antiques Magazine. That pair of pistols were purchased from the Mickley Family who claimed they had been owned by John Jacob Mickley, the Revolutionary War soldier who guarded the Liberty Bell on its famous trip from Philadelphia to Allentown in September of 1777. Joe Kindig Jr., author of the monumental book Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle in it’s Golden Age is quoted as having said there was only 1 Kentucky pistol made for every 200 Kentucky rifles. Surviving Kentucky pistols in matched pairs are therefor extremely rare and desirable. Add to this the fact that rifles by Kunz are owned and displayed by most of the major art museums, including the Metropolitan in NY and the Henry Francis DuPont Winterthur Museum. Jacob Kunz was born in Lehigh Township September 6, 1780. His products were eagerly sought after by sportsman in England, Scotland and America and brought high prices. Among his customers were Charles Peale, Albanus Logan, a descendent of William Penn’s secretary and the dueling pistols used by commodores Perry and Decatur in their famous duel. Kunz was an excellent engraver. In 1833, the Franklin Institute of Philadelphia awarded him with a silver medal for his skill and ingenuity. He died in Philadelphia August 6, 1876 at the age of 96 years. PROVENANCE: Ex William Locke and Thomas Seymour Collections. Frank Sujansky Collection. CONDITION: Each pistol is clean and solid throughout. Pistol no.2 has a reconverted lock and pistol no.1 has an incorrect brass nosecap that should be replaced as all wood is intact. Pistol no.2 was used harder than pistol no.1 so the grip checkering is more worn and grip and rear of trigger guard had been broken and repaired in period. 4-49449 RG23 (30,000-50,000) – Lot 2370 Auction: Firearms - Spring 2014 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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EXCEEDINGLY RARE MATCHED PAIR OF SIGNED J KUNZ PHILADELPHIA FLINTLOCK KENTUCKY PISTOLS.