IMPORTANT AND EXTRAORDINARY 18TH CENTURY FLINTLOCK RIFLE BY JOHN SMALL OF VINCENNES INDIANA.

IMPORTANT AND EXTRAORDINARY 18TH CENTURY FLINTLOCK RIFLE BY JOHN SMALL OF VINCENNES INDIANA. cal.43. This rifle was purchased from Joe Kindig Jr. in 1961 and has remained in a single private collection until its consignment in this auction. In a letter to the buyer dated June 24,1961 Kindig wrote “the (this) John Small rifle is the finest 18th century Kentucky made west of the Appalachian Mts. that I have ever seen”. His description, in this cataloger’s opinion, still stands today. The 46 inch original length full octagon tapered rifled barrel is signed “Jn Small Vincennes” in a 2 ½ inch brass inlay inlet into the top barrel flat. The stock is a beautifully grained example of curly maple wood that still retains its deep original reddish-brown finish throughout. The rifle’s overall length is 61 ½ inches and it‘s weight is eight pounds. The engraving and inletting on the rifle are superb. The most beautiful inlay on the rifle is the classic urn inlet on the stock between the cheek piece and the butt plate. This extremely large urn is a glorious expression of Rococo design beautifully proportioned, designed and crafted. The urn is so well constructed it is difficult to determine it is actually made in four pieces demonstrating the tremendous ability and skill of the gunsmith. A fine silver sixteen pointed star inlay on the cheek piece is engraved with a face motif. The wonderfully engraved and elaborately designed four piece brass patch box has seven piercings outlined with “C” and “S” scrolls of Rococo design, and the unique patch box release is hidden in the final of the patch box. This rifle features sixteen silver inlays, many of which are finely engraved, including a 6 ½ inch long silver saddle plate. The six inch long brass toe plate has a very unique and attractive finial and the graceful slim and delicate fore stock molding lines are carried through the engraved silver barrel wedge inlays. Every aspect of this rifle demonstrates the remarkable skill and craftsmanship of its maker – of note is the exquisite silver urn set in the stock. In Masonic mythology, this signifies the craftsman’s heart being placed in the urn and thus being part of his work. Many fine gun makers of the day were Freemasons and the urn symbol occurs frequently on their rifles. John Small is listed in Vincennes, Indiana in 1788. In 1790 he served as Captain of the local militia and was appointed first sheriff of Knox County by Governor St. Clair in 1793. He was elected one of twenty-two Legislators to the Old Northwest Territory Legislature. He continued to work as a gunsmith until his death in 1821. This rifle was located by Joe Kindig in England in 1958 where it may well have been carried by an English officer as Vincennes Indiana was occupied by the British when the rifle was made. Accompanying this lot are copies of three pre-sale letters from Joe Kindig, Jr to the buyer, a 1962 handwritten sales invoice in the amount of $3500 and the buyer’s typed description of the gun dated 1963. Also, a 1971 dated appraisal of the rifle by Joe K. Kindig III listing replacement value at $8000. PROVENANCE: Joe Kindig Jr. Collection. CONDITION: Extremely Fine. There are only two noticeable flaws in this otherwise perfect rifle. There is an old tight 2 inch crack forward of the side plate and a portion of the silver inlay between the ramrod pipe and trigger bow is missing. With these exceptions,the rifle is in magnificent original condition with no repairs or alterations visible which has been confirmed under black light inspection. This rifle may well be, as Kindig suggested, the finest 18th century rifle in existence made west of the Appalachian Mountains. This is most definitely a rifle for the advanced collector who appreciates the very best. 4-41831 RG3 (45,000-65,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2011

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
	2500	$184,000.00	IMPORTANT AND EXTRAORDINARY 18TH CENTURY FLINTLOCK RIFLE BY JOHN SMALL OF VINCENNES INDIANA. cal.43. This rifle was purchased from Joe Kindig Jr. in 1961 and has remained in a single private collection until its consignment in this auction. In a letter to the buyer dated June 24,1961 Kindig wrote “the (this) John Small rifle is the finest 18th century Kentucky made west of the Appalachian Mts. that I have ever seen”. His description, in this cataloger’s opinion, still stands today. The 46 inch original length full octagon tapered rifled barrel is signed “Jn Small Vincennes” in a 2 ½ inch brass inlay inlet into the top barrel flat. The stock is a beautifully grained example of curly maple wood that still retains its deep original reddish-brown finish throughout. The rifle’s overall length is 61 ½ inches and it‘s weight is eight pounds. The engraving and inletting on the rifle are superb. The most beautiful inlay on the rifle is the classic urn inlet on the stock between the cheek piece and the butt plate. This extremely large urn is a glorious expression of Rococo design beautifully proportioned, designed and crafted. The urn is so well constructed it is difficult to determine it is actually made in four pieces demonstrating the tremendous ability and skill of the gunsmith. A fine silver sixteen pointed star inlay on the cheek piece is engraved with a face motif. The wonderfully engraved and elaborately designed four piece brass patch box has seven piercings outlined with “C” and “S” scrolls of Rococo design, and the unique patch box release is hidden in the final of the patch box. This rifle features sixteen silver inlays, many of which are finely engraved, including a 6 ½ inch long silver saddle plate. The six inch long brass toe plate has a very unique and attractive finial and the graceful slim and delicate fore stock molding lines are carried through the engraved silver barrel wedge inlays. Every aspect of this rifle demonstrates the remarkable skill and craftsmanship of its maker – of note is the exquisite silver urn set in the stock. In Masonic mythology, this signifies the craftsman’s heart being placed in the urn and thus being part of his work. Many fine gun makers of the day were Freemasons and the urn symbol occurs frequently on their rifles. John Small is listed in Vincennes, Indiana in 1788. In 1790 he served as Captain of the local militia and was appointed first sheriff of Knox County by Governor St. Clair in 1793. He was elected one of twenty-two Legislators to the Old Northwest Territory Legislature. He continued to work as a gunsmith until his death in 1821. This rifle was located by Joe Kindig in England in 1958 where it may well have been carried by an English officer as Vincennes Indiana was occupied by the British when the rifle was made. Accompanying this lot are copies of three pre-sale letters from Joe Kindig, Jr to the buyer, a 1962 handwritten sales invoice in the amount of $3500 and the buyer’s typed description of the gun dated 1963. Also, a 1971 dated appraisal of the rifle by Joe K. Kindig III listing replacement value at $8000. PROVENANCE: Joe Kindig Jr. Collection. CONDITION: Extremely Fine. There are only two noticeable flaws in this otherwise perfect rifle. There is an old tight 2 inch crack forward of the side plate and a portion of the silver inlay between the ramrod pipe and trigger bow is missing. With these exceptions,the rifle is in magnificent original condition with no repairs or alterations visible which has been confirmed under black light inspection. This rifle may well be, as Kindig suggested, the finest 18th century rifle in existence made west of the Appalachian Mountains. This is most definitely a rifle for the advanced collector who appreciates the very best. 4-41831 RG3 (45,000-65,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2011 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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