We are exceptionally proud to showcase this magnificent and highly decorated ca. 1850 George Goulcher double set triggers and hammers, over & under hunting rifle / shotgun that is from the Estate of the Famed American Sculptor Marshall Maynard Fredericks. George Goulcher {not to be confused with James or John Goulcher of Easton & Philadelphia, Pa.}, George Goulcher made a wide range of components for the arms market that could be used by gunsmiths unable to produce their own parts. The rifle itself was quite likely made in northeastern Virginia (now West Virginia). He produced a late Kentucky, flint, rifle lock with reinforced hammer, roller frizzen spring, bearing and Manton-type waterproof pan, marked "G. GOULCHER" in a scroll in the late 1830s. J. FORDNEY of LANCASTER, PA. was one of several high quality producers of barrels to combine with Goulcher as well as several European companies as well. By the early 1840s, George had perfected the newest technology in the form of his double percussion locks. The NRA Museum proudly displays a ca. 1840 example. Ours, with the fancier scrolling trigger guard, and extended form filling brass but plate, PLUS THE FANTASTIC STERLING INLAYS, dates it to the aforementioned 1850. The barrels are cold rolled steel and they micrometer at .44 caliber for the rifle, and the shotgun as a .28 gauge. This would be the perfect combination for mid 19th century percussion lock examples for deer, quail or dove. There has been a professional repair to the over / under spine, and the stock has a stable crack at the hand grip. The base plate (new screws) is engraved D A. The left stag, shield, dog, and diamond inlays are indeed Sterling Silver, as are the right side squirrel on branch, and the percussion cap box in the stock! It will be very difficult to find a George Goulcher example with this fine a metal quality & inlays anywhere. It rates as NRA Antique very good, and we estimate this custom over & under at $2,500-$3,000. Approx 46" long. FFL Status-Antique; PROVENANCE: Descendents of noted American Sculptor Marshall M. Fredericks. ***** Marshall Maynard Fredericks (January 31, 1908 – April 4, 1998) was a famed modern American sculptor, specializing in tremendous outdoor works from traditional romantic, through contemporary aesthetic displays. Some of his largest & finest works included the FOUNTAIN OF ETERNAL LIFE, in Cleveland, Oh.; "LORD PLACING NEW STARS ON HEAVEN, at Nacka Strand, Sweden; Aesop's Fable of THE LION & THE MOUSE; the 16-foot-tall SPIRIT OF DETROIT figure at the entrance to the Coleman A. Young Center in Detroit, Michigan; AND THE LARGEST, CHRIST ON THE CROSS, completed in 1959, representing a 28-foot bronze Corpus, mounted on a 55-foot-tall redwood cross, & placed at the Indian River Catholic Shrine at Indian River, Michigan. When erected in 1959, it was believed to be the largest crucifix in the world.

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