153-1. Exceptional Signed M. (Melchior) Fordney (1789-1846) From Lancaster County, PA Kentucky Flintlock Long Rifle – Gun Has an Excellent Signed 44 ½” 38 Cal. Octagon Barrel w/Silver Front & Iron Rear Barrels Sights – Gun Has an Excellent Tiger Maple Full Length Wood Stock w/Lancaster County Style Checkered Grip & An Outstanding Engraved 4pc. Patch Box, Engraved Brass Butt Plate w/Engraved Brass Toe Plate w/Push Button Patch Box Release & Brass Chevron Engraved Nose Cap – w/Brass Trigger Guard & Ram Rod Pipes & Very Nicely Engraved Brass Back Lock Plate – w/2 Silver Inlays, 1 in the Cheek Piece, & the Other at Grip – Has One Small Crack at Front of the Flintlock Lock Plate to the Front of the Trigger Guard – w/Double Set Triggers – An Unusual History About M. Fordney is How he Met His Gruesome & Untimely Death. In 1846, Fordney’s Neighbor, John Haggerty Came Into Fordney’s Shop & Asked if Fordney Would Shoot His Horse. Fordney Declined, to Which Haggerty Grabbed a Gun From the Shop & Attempted to Shoot the Horse Himself, but the Gun Didn’t Fire. Hagerty Then Went Back to His House & Got an Axe & Went Back to Fordney’s Shop & Killed Him. Haggerty Also Killed Fordney’s Wife Catherine & Struck His Six Year Old Daughter, but She Lived. Haggerty Tried Pleading Insanity, but Was Ultimately Hung for His Crimes – Here is A Very High Quality Original Kentucky Long Rifle That Was Originally in the H. DuPont Collection – Accompanying This Gun is the Original Receipt & Writeup From the Past Owner
