Lot 2: Rifle by Graig Osborne

Graig Osborne made this splendid .50 caliber, Southern themed rifle for this year’s auction. This is an iron-mounted, high-grade Southern rifle with a captured lid box, carved and engraved.  The “captured lid box”, is a box lid totally encapsulated by its single-piece metal surround.  It’s usually identified as originating in North Carolina.  From North Carolina the style migrated to Kentucky, Tennessee, and further west. Legendary makers such as Thomas Simpson, Jacob Young, the Bryan family, Wylie Higgins, and many other Southern makers used this unique patch box style as a foundation of their artwork.

Graig has included additional Southern touches. The lock, by Buckridge, is English in style, with a waterproof pan. The lockplate has the full silhouette of the lock. The traditional style tang has a fully evolved beaver tail carving. There is silver inlay surrounding the feather hole in the bottom of the butt. There is a fully evolved forestock molding, framing the swamped Rice barrel.

The stock is a premium piece of curly maple from Harrison, finely stained and aged. There are also several additional silver touches, on the heel tang, the box cover, and the thumbpiece. Graig has used both raised and incised carving on the stock.

The iron mounts have a nice patina, and Graig has done great work on the engraving, using just the right amount of engraving to set off each mounting without the engraving taking over the rifle. The trigger guard is from Davis and the butt plate is from Knob Mountain.  All of the other parts, including the sights, were made by Graig.

The Contemporary Longrifle Foundation is proud to be able to offer such a fine rifle at the 2024 Fundraising Auction.