EXCEPTIONAL MATCHED PAIR OF KUNZ(KUNTZ) KENTUCKY PISTOLS.

Revised: 3/9/2008

(Correction) Please Note: There was a typographical error in the catalogue. Under condition it states: “The locks appear to the cataloguer to be orig flint.” The catalogue should have read: “the lock plates appear to the cataloguer to be the original flintlock lock plates. These were, at some time, reconverted, as are the majority of all Kys.”

EXCEPTIONAL MATCHED PAIR OF KUNZ(KUNTZ) KENTUCKY PISTOLS. SN NSN. This spectacular matched pair of Kentucky pistols are unquestionably made by Jacob or Peter Kunz(Kuntz). These pistols have 8-1/2″ oct to rnd smooth bbls of approx. 45 Cal. The curly maple stocks with checkered wrists show the orig and desirable red violin finish used by Kunz(Kuntz) and other gunsmiths who learned their trade in the Lehigh Valley, PA, area. The brass furniture and side plate are consistent with Kunz’s work and are nicely engraved. Each butt cap has an attractive pierced finial extending approx. 2″ up the grip. The flintlocks are each marked “C. BIRD & Co PHILADa”. The nose caps are open in the front and notched on the bottom to accept the ramrod, as is correct for Kunz(Kuntz) pistols. The Kunz(Kuntz) brothers, Peter and Jacob, sometimes signed their rifles and pistols and, like most gunsmiths, sometimes did not. The pistols, however, are quite easily identified by their characteristics. The only other pair of Kunz(Kuntz) pistols known to the cataloguer are those known as the “Liberty Bell Pistols” that are featured and pictured in an article in the 1930 issue of Antiques Magazine. A copy of the article accompanies the pistols. 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 Sept. 1777. This pair is signed by “P. Kunz”. Jacob Kunz(Kuntz) and his brother Peter Kunz(Kuntz), each remarkable gunsmiths, were born in the late 18th C. in Whitehall Township, Lehigh Cty., PA. They later worked as well in Philadelphia. The Kunz’s were awarded a number of Franklin Institute awards for being the most accomplished gunsmiths in Philadelphia and for their fine craftsmanship. Kunz (Kuntz) is listed as a Philadelphia gunsmith who worked in Philadelphia over a span that covered the first half of the 19th century, thus influencing firearms of both the flint and percussion periods. Joe Kindig Jr., author of the monumental book Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle in Its Golden Age, is quoted as having said there was only one Kentucky pistol made for every two hundred Kentucky rifles. Surviving Kentucky pistols in matched pairs are therefore extremely rare and desirable. Add to this the fact that rifles by Kunz(Kuntz) are owned and displayed by most of the major art museums, including the Metropolitan in New York and the Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum. This presents an extremely rare opportunity to acquire a matched pair of period, genuine Kentucky pistols. PROVENANCE: R.Sadler Collection. CONDITION: Each of the pistols are in remarkably good condition and are indeed a matched pair. The stocks do show the normal dings and scratches associated with firearms that have been used for a period of time; however, there is nothing that detracts from their beauty. There is no evidence of restoration or repairs, and the locks appear to the cataloguer to be orig flint. An extraordinary matched set of KY pistols in exceptional condition. 4-31988 RGG42 (50,000-100,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2008

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
	1566	$80,500.00	Revised: 3/9/2008 (Correction) Please Note: There was a typographical error in the catalogue. Under condition it states: “The locks appear to the cataloguer to be orig flint.” The catalogue should have read: “the lock plates appear to the cataloguer to be the original flintlock lock plates. These were, at some time, reconverted, as are the majority of all Kys.” EXCEPTIONAL MATCHED PAIR OF KUNZ(KUNTZ) KENTUCKY PISTOLS. SN NSN. This spectacular matched pair of Kentucky pistols are unquestionably made by Jacob or Peter Kunz(Kuntz). These pistols have 8-1/2″ oct to rnd smooth bbls of approx. 45 Cal. The curly maple stocks with checkered wrists show the orig and desirable red violin finish used by Kunz(Kuntz) and other gunsmiths who learned their trade in the Lehigh Valley, PA, area. The brass furniture and side plate are consistent with Kunz’s work and are nicely engraved. Each butt cap has an attractive pierced finial extending approx. 2″ up the grip. The flintlocks are each marked “C. BIRD & Co PHILADa”. The nose caps are open in the front and notched on the bottom to accept the ramrod, as is correct for Kunz(Kuntz) pistols. The Kunz(Kuntz) brothers, Peter and Jacob, sometimes signed their rifles and pistols and, like most gunsmiths, sometimes did not. The pistols, however, are quite easily identified by their characteristics. The only other pair of Kunz(Kuntz) pistols known to the cataloguer are those known as the “Liberty Bell Pistols” that are featured and pictured in an article in the 1930 issue of Antiques Magazine. A copy of the article accompanies the pistols. 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 Sept. 1777. This pair is signed by “P. Kunz”. Jacob Kunz(Kuntz) and his brother Peter Kunz(Kuntz), each remarkable gunsmiths, were born in the late 18th C. in Whitehall Township, Lehigh Cty., PA. They later worked as well in Philadelphia. The Kunz’s were awarded a number of Franklin Institute awards for being the most accomplished gunsmiths in Philadelphia and for their fine craftsmanship. Kunz (Kuntz) is listed as a Philadelphia gunsmith who worked in Philadelphia over a span that covered the first half of the 19th century, thus influencing firearms of both the flint and percussion periods. Joe Kindig Jr., author of the monumental book Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle in Its Golden Age, is quoted as having said there was only one Kentucky pistol made for every two hundred Kentucky rifles. Surviving Kentucky pistols in matched pairs are therefore extremely rare and desirable. Add to this the fact that rifles by Kunz(Kuntz) are owned and displayed by most of the major art museums, including the Metropolitan in New York and the Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum. This presents an extremely rare opportunity to acquire a matched pair of period, genuine Kentucky pistols. PROVENANCE: R.Sadler Collection. CONDITION: Each of the pistols are in remarkably good condition and are indeed a matched pair. The stocks do show the normal dings and scratches associated with firearms that have been used for a period of time; however, there is nothing that detracts from their beauty. There is no evidence of restoration or repairs, and the locks appear to the cataloguer to be orig flint. An extraordinary matched set of KY pistols in exceptional condition. 4-31988 RGG42 (50,000-100,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2008 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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