(A) SILVER INLAID AND RELIEF CARVED CONTEMPORARY KENTUCKY RIFLE BY WILLIAM BUCHELE.

A fine example of a custom built contemporary Kentucky rifle built by renowned long gun maker William Buchele in the style of Frederick Sell. Top flat of octagon barrel has builders signature “W. BUCHELE”. German silver front sight with fixed notched rear sight. Engraved lock marked “BUCHELE”. Single trigger with carved rear webbing. Key fastened tiger stripe full length maple stock. Right side of butt has ornate segmented pierced rectangular lid patchbox with fancy finial and fine engraving. Other brass fittings include trigger guard, crescent buttplate, engraved toe plate and engraved sideplate. Cheekpiece has an engraved silver star. Area below and around cheekpiece along with a portion forward of patchbox, around top tang at top and wrist have extremely well detailed deep relief vine type foliate carving. There is a silver inlay at the wrist. Stock is held by 4 keys through German silver oval escutcheons. Ramrod channel has moulded double line borders. Hickory ramrod is held by faceted brass octagon barrel thimble and 3 matching pin fastened pipes. Nose cap is brass. The late William Buchele (1895-1977) was a renowned master long rifle maker. His most famous achievement was collaboration on the book “Recreating the American Long Rifle” with George Shumway and Peter Alexander. The acknowledgment section of "The American Longrifle", 5th Edition gives the following information: “In May 1974, "The American Rifleman" magazine featured an article by Ashley Halsey, Jr., titled “The Best Kentuckies–Old or New?” Pictured with descriptions were five of the finest original Kentuckies made by N. Beyer, George Schroyer and Christian Beck, along with contemporary examples by William Buchele, Carl Pippert, Robert Ditchburn, Wallace Gusler and George Stanford. This national publicity made Buchele famous. Buchele also published the “Recreating the American Longrifle” with Shumway and Alexander. CONDITION: Excellent with some minor handling marks. PROVENANCE: Gordon Barlow Collection. Barrel Length: 42" Caliber/Bore: .50 Rifled FFL Status: Antique Manufacturer: William Buchele Model: Kentucky Rifle Serial Number: NSN