^Lot 4369 ORNATE WILLIAM BUCHELE "I AM TECUMSEH" FLINTLOCK

RIFLE. Cal. 40. NSN. Bbl. 42" octagon measuring 7/8" across the flats. Top flat is marked "W. Buchele". William Buchele, 1895-1977, was a renowned builder of contemporary flintlock & percussion rifles & pistols. He is known as a co-author of the book "Recreating the American Long Rifle" with George Shumway and Peter Alexander. German silver blade front with fixed U notch rear sight. Bbl. & lock have a fine browned finish, lock is engraved "Buchele". Curled plain trigger. Full length stock of fine curly maple is held by 4 pins. Forward 3 pins have oval German silver escutcheons with border line engraving. The rear pin escutcheon has fore & aft curled extensions with wire inlay highlights. The cheekpiece has a engraved German silver inlay of an 8 point star highlighted by wire inlay simulating rays of sunlight. A German silver plate below the cheekpiece is engraved "I AM TECUMSEH". Right side of the stock features a segmented daisy finial rectangular lid brass patchbox with engraving featuring a crossed arrow motif on the lid. Additional brass fittings include the crescent buttplate, engraved toeplate, finger curl trigger guard, nose cap and snake engraved sideplate. The hardwood ramrod is held by a faceted brass thimble and 2 faceted brass pipes. The elaborate stock carving features a relief carved portrait the native American Chief Tecumseh wearing a beaded necklace with a small silver coin. Additional floral pattern relief carving is found in the wrist, tang, sideplate, lock and thimble areas. The toe line and cheekpiece are highlighted by double line incise carving. The ramrod channel has molded borders. UNATTACHED ACCESORIES. handmade leather possibles bag. The cloth & leather strap holds a wood ball starter and a 9" carved powder horn. The horn cap is missing. CONDITI0N: fine. The browned bbl. and lock finish shows light fading and carry wear. Near excellent stock finish. Sound lock. Bright near excellent bore. (01-27944/DS). ANTIQUE. $2,500-4,000.