4368 RARE SIGNED JOHN FORD DAUPHIN COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA

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[?]Live Online Auction Starts In 2025 Nov 02 @ 10:00 (UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT)
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 2,000.00 USD
Estimated at 4,000.00 - 8,000.00 USD
RIFLE. Cal. 56. NSN. Exceptionally long smoothbore rifle 67.75", 53" octagonal to round barrel signed in script "J * FORD". Gun is so long that the curly maple forestock was made in 2 pieces with mortise & tenon attachment, Ketland lock, engraved silver hunter's star and incised carved, 4-piece engraved and pierced patchbox. Rifle was deaccessed from the defunct Milton Hershey Museum of American Culture in Hershey, PA and still has the small branded museum inventory number on bottom of butt stock. Milton Hershey was among the earliest collectors of Kentuckys in the 1920s and his museum housed many of the rare Dauphin County rifles including this one. Rifle has 2018 KRA "President's Display" medal. This is among the best John Ford rifles known as the few other survivors are not carved. John Ford (1780-1862) born in York, worked in Harrisburg, PA and was state armorer in 1818. CONDITION: very good as restored from percussion back to flint configuration. Stock has no restoration, hand worn patina. Mechanics fine, clear dark smooth bore. PROVENANCE: from a prominent collector. (01-28027/JS). ANTIQUE. $4,000-8,000.