Page 128 - 83-BOOK1

126
"But Jackson he was wide awake, And was not scar'd at trifles, For well he knew what aim we take, With our Kentucky rifles."
LOT 170
Extraordinary Historic Panel Scene Patriotic
Motif Engraved, German Silver Banded, and German Silver Mounted A. Harrington New York Flintlock Full-Stock Rifle Inscribed “Old Hickory” and Attributed as Owned by President Andrew Jackson - NSN, 42 cal., 34 1/2 inch octagon bbl., brown/casehardened/German silver finish, curly
maple stock. This incredible rifle, without any historical connection, would already be a magnificent example of American fine arms from the “Age of Jackson,” but the “OLD HICKORY” inscription on the cheekpiece
plate suggesting that this rifle was built for Andrew Jackson (1767-1845) certainly adds considerably to its mystique and historical interest. Jackson was frequently called Old Hickory throughout the period, but exactly when, why, by whom, and if this rifle was presented
to Jackson is not known. This fine rifle would certainly have been as fitting as a gift for Old Hickory when he was president in 1829-1837. He rose to prominence as a military hero famous for leading American riflemen to victory in an age when smoothbore muskets remained the norm. He is known to have owned other fine
arms. He earned his nickname due to his toughness while leading a small army in multiple victories in the American southeast during the War of 1812 and the contemporaneous Red Stick War. The most famous
of these victories was his defeat of the British at the Battle of New Orleans on January 8, 1815, though they outnumbered his ragtag “army” by 2 to 1. The use of rifles by the Americans was given out-sized attention in the period, and the song “The Hunters of Kentucky” (also known as “The Battle of New Orleans”) is credited with popularizing the name “Kentucky rifles” for the American long rifle with the lines: “But Jackson he
was wide awake, And was not scar’d at trifles, For well he knew what aim we take, With our Kentucky rifles.” Jackson was certainly a tough man and very familiar with firearms. In addition to his many years of military service dating back to his youth when he was a courier
during the American Revolution, Jackson fought
in several duels. Most famously, he carried a ball in
his chest near his heart from the duel with his rival Charles Dickinson after willingly allowing Dickinson to shoot first and then carefully taking aim at Dickinson not once but twice after the lock malfunctioned and dropped to half-cock. Many saw his behavior in the duel as vicious and even murderous. Jackson was certainly politically and morally divisive figure within his own time and remains so today. Perhaps it is
not surprisingly then that he was the first American president to deal with an assassination attempt. After both of the assailant’s pistols misfired, Jackson beat him with his cane. Though divisive, Jackson was also very popular. He defeated John Quincy Adams by
more than 10% in 1824 but lost the election when it was sent to the U.S. House of Representatives because no candidate had secured an electoral majority. He defeated Adams by just over 10% again in 1828 and won. In 1832, he beat Henry Clay by more than 16%. Regardless of his reputation, Jackson stands as one of the most influential presidents in American history. When he died in 1845, Old Hickory may have left the rifle to his adopted son Andrew Jackson Jr. (1808- 1865). The Hermitage states that Andrew Jackson Jr. reportedly owned another of Jackson’s ornate rifles. The rifle is signed “A. Harrington MAKER New York” on the barrel in ornate script with lightly engraved swirling accents and is believed to have come from the shop of A.A. Harrington of Poughkeepsie, New York. Relatively little is known about this maker and his firearms,
but there are advertisements from 1830-1832 for his shop in various issues of the “Poughkeepsie Journal,” first for the “Poughkeepsie Gun Factory” and later for “Harrington’s Gun Manufactory.” His June 2, 1830, dated advertisement indicated he had taken over the shop
of P.P. Hayes and was manufacturing rifles, fowling pieces, and muskets and also converted flintlocks to percussion.