Lot 133

C.1840 Golcher Kentucky Rifle & 19th Crow Scabbard

Estimate: $6,000 - $9,000

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $5
$50 $10
$100 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$25,000 $2,500
$100,000 $5,000
This is an exceptional lot which includes a circa 1840 Joseph Golcher Percussion Kentucky patch box long rifle chambered in .50 caliber with Indian tacking and accompanied with an original 19th Century beaded Buffalo Bison hide rifle scabbard case from the Crow Indians of Colorado. This truly fantastic pairing starts with the Joseph Golcher percussion hammer Kentucky Long Rifle with ornate patch box shows a very high-quality early example with highly figured beautiful Tiger Maple hardwood stock, engraved Joseph Golcher side receiver plate with engraved exposed side percussion hammer, brass crescent butte plate, silver (likely sterling silver) oblong oval signatory plate, highly design side bronze / brass side plate bracket, and heavy octagonal barrel. Joseph Golcher was a lockmaker gunsmith who was located in Philadelphia, PA during circa 1825-1860 with some examples being offered for $5,000+ in this high of grade. The piece is accompanied with a circa mid-to-late-1800’s Crow Rifle Scabbard which is comprised of Indian brain-tanned Buffalo Bison hide and old red stroud wool trade clothe with excellent geometric sections of 19th Century glass trade seed bead beadwork. The beadwork is in a typical Crow Buffalo Track pattern at the center and snake or hourglass triangular pattern on each on which extends to both sides, all of which are done in colors of sky padre light blue, greasy yellow, Cheyenne pink, and cobalt. The rifle scabbard has long Indian hide Buffalo fringes across the opening and bordering the bottom and front of the end and overall, the piece fits the rifle musket very well. The rifle is chambered in 50 caliber with hand cut rifling in the heavy octagon barrel. The rifle has very old 19th Century repairs at the straight pistol grip with copper lining and old screws. Included in the lot is a screenshot of a description of Trade Muskets and Rifles supplied to the Indians of the 19th Century and mentions Joseph Goulcher (Golcher). Provenance: From the ex-collection of Dale Harrison Cincinnati, Ohio. The rifle itself measures 40”L and the case is 38.5”L without the fringes.