This long rifle has a part round, part octagon barrel with "wedding band" transition signed by Frederick Sell (1781-1869) in a brass banner and equipped with rifle style blade and notch sights. Influential author and Kentucky long rifle collector Joe Kindig, Jr. wrote: "Frederick Sell was one of the great masters of Kentucky rifle making. . ." the Sell family "is one of the most important families -- if not the most important family -- of Kentucky rifle makers. The earliest records we have found lists Frederick Sell as a single freeman gunsmith in the Borough of York in 1807." By 1816 he was settled in Littletown and appears in records there until 1858. Tax records suggest he was devoted to gunmaking as he owned little else. Kindig is "certain he worked as a journeyman for at least three men: George Eister, John Lechner, and Adam Ernst." Sell is the presumed son of Jacob Sell (1741-1821) and brother of Jacob (1780-1855); both were talented gunmakers in their own right and certainly greatly influenced one another. Sell adopted the aspects he liked of various other period makers as well to create a conglomerate style that was at once his own yet reflected aspects of many of the most talented Golden Age makers. His designs varied greatly which makes him a great maker for collectors and all identified guns by him are beautifully done. Kindig notes the Sell more often inlaid with brass than silver making this a rare example as it is fitted with twelve silver inlays. Kindig only recorded six Sell rifles with 10 or more inlays of any type. The full length stock has a long forend cap, "TW" hand carved ahead of the patch box finial, attractive striped/flame figure, and detailed rococo carving. The carving has similar attributes to other identified Sell rifles including the example on page 420 of "Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle in Its Golden Age."

Good as reconverted to flintlock configuration. The barrel has a dark brown patina with mild pitting. The lock has some brown finish on the replacement components and a dark brown patina that matches the barrel on the plate itself. The brass and silver display attractive aged patinas. The stock has some chipping around the lock inlet and edges, a few minor cracks, some scrapes and dings, and a group of scrapes on the cheekpiece. The patch box has a repaired latch, and the front of the trigger guard is partially loose. The lock functions fine. This is a rare opportunity to add a seldom encountered Frederick Sell rifle to your collection.