332 - M.F. Crandell

M.F. Crandell USA-GOWANDA (N.Y.), circa 1860, Muzzle-Loading Target Rifle, Kentucky type, a rare and beautiful black powder percussion target rifle with a percussion cap primer, superimposed hexagonal and round double barrels of two different calibers, marked “M.F. CRANDELL,” accompanied by its ramrod; marbled lock with double hammers (strikers) chiseled with stylized plant motifs, also marked “M.F. CRANDELL”; trigger guard chiseled with a hunting dog and plant motifs; engraved and checkered walnut stock, covered with richly decorated and chiseled silver and nickel silver inlays; the patch box is decorated with the American eagle holding a banner in its beak and marked “M.F. CRANDELL MAKER,” thumb plate bearing the initials “M.F.”; the rifle comes with its diopter (sight), in very good overall condition (slight wear), functional mechanism, total length approximately 125 cm. Notes on the manufacturer: M.F. Crandell was an American gunsmith and manufacturer based in Gowanda, New York, renowned for his custom-made muzzle-loading sporting and hunting rifles; each firearm is a one-of-a-kind piece. His firearms are notably listed in several reference works on historic American firearms, such as *Our Rifles* by Charles Winthrop Sawyer and *The Muzzle-Loading Cap Lock Rifle* by Ned H. Roberts.