2020 September Premier, Volume I

BOTH SIDES PICTURED
The John Fox Collection
LOT 111
Desirable Judson Brennan Engraved, Carved, and Silver Accented Contemporary Flintlock
American Long Rifle - NSN, 54 cal., 45 inch octagon bbl., antiqued finish, curly maple stock. Rifles by
Judson “Jud” Brennan are among the most desirable contemporary American muzzle loaders. His rifles
have the look and feel of genuine antique arms. At first glance, this rifle certainly appears to be over
200 years old thanks to masterful work crafting the gun just like an original and then using aging
techniques to give it a very authentic antique appearance. Based on the lack of serial numbers,
Brennan indicated this rifle was built before he moved from Michigan to Alaska in 1985. The barrel
is signed “Judson J Brennan” on a silver panel with engraved floral accents, and the patch box has an
oval silver panel signed “I/Brennan/GUNMAKER.” The barrel has engraving and a silver band at the
muzzle, a silver blade front sight, traditional low notch rear sight with light engraving on the base,
floral engraving around the signature panel and at the breech, a broad silver band at the breech, and
additional engraving on the upper tang. The lock has scroll and border engraving. The furniture is
iron and is engraved to match and accented by additional silver panels and bands. The patch box is opened using a silver button in
the toe plate. The stock has scroll carving accented by wire and engraved silver inlays, a scroll engraved silver forend cap, silver “repair” strips on the
wrist adding to the antique look, a silver cheek piece plate inscribed “Liberty,” and an engraved silver vent pick holder (no pick).
CONDITION: Very fine with dark brown “patina” on the iron, aged patina on the silver, crisp markings and engraving, some small slivers and chips absent to
add to the aged look, minor cracks, and excellent authentic “Golden Age” appearance overall. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 4500 - 6500
LOT 112
O. A. Sweeney Gunsmith Marked
Kentucky Style Percussion Swivel Breech Rifle with J. Demuth Lock - NSN, 40 cal., 37 inch octagon bbl., brown finish,
maple stock. One of the barrels is marked “O.A. SWEENEY 2612 OLIVE GUNSMITH” along the brass channel on the opposite side of
the ramrod channel. Similar Sweeney markings are repeated inside the patch box. There is evidence of an O. A. Sweeney at that address
in St. Louis, Missouri in the 1940s (write believes this to be the individual responsible for the aforementioned 20th century added markings).
The two rifled octagon barrels are connected by wedges and brass ribs on either side, one mounted with pipes for the wooden ramrod. The lock
is marked “J. DEMUTH/WARRANTED” and has light floral engraving. A Jonathan Demuth is recorded as working in Bushkill, Pennsylvania in 1828.
The plate opposite the lock has similar floral scroll engraving and a blued lever which allows the barrels to swivel. It is fitted with a curly maple
Kentucky style stock with ornate brass patch box silver inlaid escutcheon on the wrist and silver inlaid compass-type star on the cheek piece.
CONDITION: Very good, showing mostly an even brown patina and some scattered light pitting with crisp markings and engraving. Markings
have been added as described above. The brass and silver show an attractive antique patina overall and the lower screw retaining the brass ribs is broken and
loose. The sanded and revarnished wood is also very good with visible repairs on the cheekpiece comb, some white speckling, some minor handling marks, and
nice figure. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 5500 - 8500
BOTH SIDES PICTURED
126
BOTH SIDES
PICTURED
LOT 113
Fine Historic “John H. Baldwin”
Marked Carved/Incised
Powder Horn with British Coat
of Arms - This horn measures 10
inches straight across from spout
plug to base plug and is marked
“John-H-Baldwin” and has a ship
with a British flag and the royal
coat of arms. The spout
plug threads into the
nicely shaped, multistep
spout which has a scalloped border where it meets the body.
No information is available about the history at this time.
CONDITION: Very good with a fine, attractive appearance, some red stain,
and mild wear including some minor chips near the base plug.
Estimate: 3000 - 4000
LOT 114
Massive Powder Horn Marked “1693 John Loving
Esq.” - This massive horn has a brass base plug
inscribed “1693+IOHN LOVING ESQ.” The spout is
brass and has a hinged clasp. The length is 19
inches from the main hinge straight across
to the base plug. The body has various
faint markings along with an “11” brand.
A horn of this size could carry powder
for a whole group of men or be used for
priming artillery.
CONDITION: Very good with mild overall wear,
some rough areas on the horn, dark aged patina on
the brass, crisp inscription, and some areas
of dark lacquer.
Estimate: 2000 - 3000