American Powder Horns

New York French & Indian War Horn, dated 1758

Posted on December 31, 2011 by Rich

This is a beautifully carved New York French & Indian War horn. It was professionally carved, showing the British Coat of Arms, a bold NEW YORK 1758 and a wonderful full view of : The harbor, windmill, fortifications, buildings and ships. Today this area is known as Battery Park. A 1660 map found online of “New Amsterdam, in Nieuw Neederlandt”, courtesy of Rootsweb, shows a similar scene of New York in 1758. The map, available here, shows the fort as well as the location of the windmill. Interestingly, today the windmill is still the central part of the seal of The City New York.

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American Revolutionary War Naval Officer’s Silver-Hilted Sword

Posted on December 31, 2011 by Rich

SOLD

This beautiful ca.1770 cuttoe is of American or English manufacture. The beautiful gadrooned shaped hand grip is of turned ivory, dyed green in the fashion of that period. Montmorency blade is 26″ long. Furniture of the hilt is silver, decorated with ship’s masts, military trophies, and rococo motifs, and retains its original silver chain. There is some mild ivory shrinkage and wear due to age. A wonderful and scarce American Revolutionary War period sword, that would have been carried by a naval officer or a privateer!

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German Flintlock Jaeger Rifle

Posted on December 30, 2011 by Rich

This is an early rifle dating to the mid 18th century. Even though it is a German Hunting rifle, this style of weapon was common among soldiers, foreign and domestic, during the French and Indian and Revolutionary Wars.

Another notable fact about these German rifles is that they were the predecessors of the Kentucky Rifle and that’s why I have it categorized here . This is a fine piece and I was happy to add this to my collection. A detailed description follows;

Rifled, .82 caliber. 34″ flared octagonal barrel, with two-leaf folding rear notched sight, front brass blade sight. Early flat style lockplate engraved with vines and leaves and a knight. Double-set triggers, brass furniture. Nice carved wood stock with sliding wood patch box. Molding around the cheek piece and bottom of stock from toe to trigger guard. Rear tang sight.

Condition: Barrel and lock are a nice dark brown mixed with some pitting. Stock has some nicks and dings with nice patina. It is, overall, in fine original condition.

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James Shaw – 1755 – Turtle Crik

Posted on December 30, 2011 by Rich

A print from Robert Griffing – Please see his site linked here.

Robert Griffing’s painting “The Wounding of Braddock”

James Shaw – 1755 – Turtle Crik

A nice map horn of the Pennsylvania area right up to Montreal Canada. It shows the Great Meadow, and a bridge near Fort Duquesne. Carved there is, “Genl Braddock and his troops slayed here.”

All of the forts have French flags and many are shown with lakes, roads, rivers, etc. I can find most of the names carved on old maps and in books. Some of the names are Indian or slang, but several experts, state they are correct and accurate.

The horn came from Rocky Gardiner’s estate after he passed away. I purchased this and the Welsh horn from his widow, Avis. Rocky also was the dealer who purchased the De Vere Card Collection in 1978. He, along with Card are listed in Grancey’s book on pages 85 & 86 . Their horns, owned at the time are also listed in the book. The horn measures 17″ long and still retains the extended lobe at the butt end for the carrying strap..