Arms, Armor and Militaria

Arms, Armor and Militaria

Wednesday, October 23, 2024  |  10:00 AM Eastern
Auction closed.
Arms, Armor and Militaria

Arms, Armor and Militaria

Wednesday, October 23, 2024  |  10:00 AM Eastern
Auction closed.
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Description

The upcoming October 23rd Arms, Armor & Militaria sale features items from well-known collections and includes groupings of historical and military arms and some wonderful sporting arms to catch a variety of collecting interests. Of particular note are a fine group of Harpers Ferry Rifles from the collection of John Vagnetti, the third and final installment of the George Oldenbourg collection of presentation Civil War swords, a select grouping of historical firearms from noted arms historian and author Charles Worman, and a published Griffin & Howe Customized Winchester Model 54 Rifle gifted to Townsend Whelen with his handwritten note sheets and test targets. Some of the features of the historical arms portion of the sale are a group of St. Louis made and retailed guns from period of western expansion, including a rare J&S Hawken Percussion Sporting Rifle and an Extremely Rare G.V. Brecht St. Louis Air Gun. Early American military items include a United States Branded American Rebuilt French Model 1774 Musket from the American Revolution, as well as some Revolutionary War period... Show more

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Pg : 2 of 11

Carved Powder Horn of Revolutionary War Veteran Oliver Marble of Stow, MA

Lot # 26 (Sale Order: 26 of 262)      

Carved Powder Horn of Revolutionary War Veteran Oliver Marble of Stow, MA
American Revolution
Nominally 12" long curved, carved cow's horn, 3.5" in diameter at base with the carved spout approximately 4" in length with carved scallops at the transition to the main body. Hard wood plug attached with old iron finishing nails, a small iron wire bale about 1" in length allows the attachment of a sling. The main body of the horn is decorated with geometric patterns , mostly triangles and wavy lines with cross hash and dot decorations. The horn is carved in two lines: OLIVER MARBLE : HIS HORN/STOW : JANUARY : THE : 31 : 1789.

Oliver Marble (1755-1827) was born in Stow (Middlesex County) Massachusetts Asa & Hannah (Wheeler) Marble. Oliver was a farmer like most of the people in the area and would live the first half of his life in the town where he was born. During the Revolutionary War Oliver was enrolled as a private in Capt. Caleb Brooks' Company of Colonel Nicholas Dike's regiment and served at Dorchester Heights during the fall of 1776 and spring of 1777. The majority of the regiment appears to have been 90-day men who enlisted in September-October of 1776 and then reenlisted in December for an additional three months of service.

Interestingly, Oliver had a twin brother named Jabez. They were either identical or similar enough in appearance that according to the Massachusetts History of Ashburnham, 1734-1886 Jabez later claimed that "in the fall after the British left Boston he went to Roxbury and took the place of his brother as a private soldier in captain Caleb Brooks' company of Colonel Benjamin Dyke's regiment, and served a tour of three months at Boston and was verbally discharged in the seventh of March, 1777." The book noted that Jabez went on to explain his service as a his brother's substitute by saying that "his brother's name was Oliver Marble; they were twins and that about two months prior to the end of Oliver's term of service his brother became sick and he took his place for the balance of the term and always answered to his brother Oliver's name when it was called." This story, absent the part about serving as Oliver's substitute, is told almost verbatim in Jabez's October 19, 1832 application for a Revolutionary War pension, which further notes that "he has not been able to furnish any evidence of this service." Jabez did have further service in the war that was documentable, including in the Rhode Island Line Infantry. Interestingly, Oliver's pension application, if he made one, could not be found.

In 1780 Oliver married Deborah Bailey (1761-1833) and they had nine children. In the spring of 1789 the family moved to Ashburnham, MA and in 1827 Oliver died in Lyndeborough, NH at the age of 71. This horn was apparently made by Oliver within a month of two of his families relocation to Ashburnham and may have been a memento of the 33 years that he had lived there. A small folder of research regarding Oliver Marble accompanies the horn.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Very good. Horn shows good age and possibly an old light cleaning, with carving and decorations still clear and fully visible. Iron brads and wire loop heavily oxidized with a rich, dark patina, with the base plug nails having discolored and darkened the horn around them. Horn with some minor chipping and loss around the nails and bottom edge, base plug with scuffs and wear but securely attached. Spout with nice wear and smooth....more

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18th Century Silver Mounted Cuttoe with Green Dyed Spiral Grip

Lot # 27 (Sale Order: 27 of 262)      

18th Century Silver Mounted Cuttoe with Green Dyed Spiral Grip
American Revolution
21.125" curved single-edged blade with a narrow, 6" long fuller near the spine near the hilt on the left side and a 12" fuller in the same position on the right side. The blade is 1" wide blade at the ricasso and 26.5" in overall length, including the capstan nut on the pommel cap. 5.5" hilt with spiral grooved green dyed ivory grip, unmarked silver pommel cap with capstan nut and unmarked silver ferrule. 3.8" S-shaped silver crossguard with disc quillons, showing a semi-legible touchmark on the left side of the upper arm of the guard. The sword is accompanied by a silver mounted leather scabbard with embossed patterns on the face. Mounts are unmarked and include a throat with a frog stud and suspension ring, a middle mount with suspension ring and a drag. Overall a nice example of a late 18th century hanger or cuttoe of the pattern often used by officers during the period of the American Revolution.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Good. Blade cleaned, moderately oxidized with freckled and spotty discoloration. Edge of blade with some nicks and loss and showing some sharpening. Tip of blade rounded. Silver mounts lightly cleaned. Grip with some horizontal cracks and chipped loss from wear and use. Green color still strong. Scabbard with restoration, added finish and sealer, with the stitching missing from the rear seam. Mounts cleaned but attractive....more

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Crude American Made Copy of a British Land Pattern Socket Bayonet

Lot # 28 (Sale Order: 28 of 262)      

Crude American Made Copy of a British Land Pattern Socket Bayonet
American Revolution
13.5" tapered, flat, unfullered blade, 1.25" wide at ricasso. Overall length 16.875". Pronounced median ridge along spine with nominally 10" flutes on either side. 3.25" socket with three step "Z" shaped mortise cut for a top stud and a nominally 1.5" muzzle to stud distance. Interior muzzle diameter nominally .92" with rear of socket nominally .97". Applied rolled reinforced collar at rear of socket damaged and partially missing. 1.25" neck with roughly oval cross section and flat face is applied with a "shield" or "flanged" shank. A lap seam runs the length of the socket's interior on the reverse side. Reilly shows similar examples as B14 and B16 in American Socket Bayonets and Neumann shows similar examples as 58.BB and 59.BB in Battle Weapons of the American Revolution.
CONDITION: Good. Metal with a richly oxidized brown patina and some scattered pitting. Some dings and dents are present as well as a couple of nicks along the edge of the blade. Reinforced rim at rear of socket damaged and partially missing. Muzzle of bayonet dented and out of round....more

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Carved Maritime Theme Powder Horn Dated 1766

Lot # 29 (Sale Order: 29 of 262)      

Carved Maritime Theme Powder Horn Dated 1766
American Revolution
Nominally 10" in overall length, oval in cross section measuring 2.88"x2.34" at the base. Carved main body of the horn is roughly 6" in length with scalloped transitions to the roughly 4.5" spout with a bulbous baluster turned tip and crudely carved wood plug. The main body of the horn is carved with three sailing ships, the larger central image being of a two-masted brig with the smaller images being in the style of single masted sloop rigged cutters. The body of the horn is further decorated with rope motifs, intertwined Celtic style knots and both curved and angular geometric patterns. Below the transition to the spout the month APRIL is carved over the initials TL. The same initials are repeated on horizontally along the outside edge of the horn followed by the date 1766. The initials OP are carved above the larger of the three ships. An old copper wire staple provides the attachment point for a sling or rope at the base of the horn and old twine is attached to that and tied to the spout. The oval wood base plug is attached with crudely made, heavily oxidized iron finishing nails. A lovely horn dated to the decade before the American Revolution.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Very good. Horn with an attractive and untouched patina, showing good oxidation around the iron nails at the base plug. Carving clear but nicely worn, not overly crisp, with some minor thinned loss. Horn with some areas of tiny chipping and loss, particularly at the rear edge and scalloped transition. Spout plug a more recent replacement....more

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UNITED STATES Branded American Rebuilt French Model 1774 Musket

Lot # 30 (Sale Order: 30 of 262)      

UNITED STATES Branded American Rebuilt French Model 1774 Musket
American Revolution
.69 caliber. 41.625" round barrel secured by three flat barrel bands. NSN. Bright finish, steel furniture, walnut stock. Single shot flintlock muzzleloading musket. Flat flint lock with convex pointed tail measures 6.25" and has a weak script St. Etienne arsenal mark under the pan and is stamped ANDRE/VERIER on the interior. Lock appears to be in original flint, although there a minor fit issue in the interior at the front of the pan against the frizzen's bolster. The rounded iron and fenced bridled pan is detachable and the frizzen shows an old period refacing and a curved toe. The 3" reinforced rounded cock has a heart-shaped cut out with a top jaw and screw that are old replacements. No marks are visible on the exterior of the barrel or tang. The toe of the stock is branded UNITED STATES behind the triggerguard, like the example shown in Moller, Volume I pages 159 and 357. The iron triggerguard measures 11.125" in length and the rudimentary L-shaped side plate is 3.65" in length. The rear band is located 9.75" from the breech, the middle band is located 13.3125" from the face of rear band and the replacement upper band is located 10.375" from the face of the middle band.

The gun appears to have been period rebuilt with the barrel seeming to be American-made as there is no indication of any anti-twist lugs on the bottom as would be on a French barrel, and the rear of the breech plug is made short so the rear lock screw will clear it, instead of with a hole for it to pass through. The tang is somewhat narrower than on French barrels of the period and there is some gapping around it in the mortise. The barrel is roughly 3" shorter than the typical barrel length for both the M1773 and M1774, which was nominally 44.75". The bayonet lug is located on top of the barrel 1.3125" from the muzzle, instead of under the barrel where it would have been on the French barrel. At the time of the rebuild, the stock was proportionally shortened for the shorter barrel and it was also recontoured and slimmed, forward of the lower band. The bell-shaped sling swivel remains on the lug forward of the triggerguard, while the swivel is missing from the middle band. An old iron button head ramrod that is 39" in length without any threads at the end is in the channel under the barrel.

Large numbers of French import muskets were rebuilt by the United States to keep them in use both during the American Revolution and in the decade after it, until production of American-made muskets was undertaken at Springfield Arsenal and by contractors in the latter part of the 1790s. Many of these guns remained in service through the War of 1812.

This gun was acquired from Norm Flayderman as item #1265 in Catalog #116. Copies of the catalog page and cover of the catalog are included. Moller indicates that this particular "UNITED STATES" brand was in use as early as 1777 and it certainly remained in use for some time. The mark clearly indicates that this was an official Continental Army musket and is a well worn, but very presentable example of a French import US branded musket that was kept in service with American repairs.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Good. Bore dark, heavily oxidized and pitted. Metal with moderate amounts of scattered oxidation, surface roughness and some pitting. Markings weak on lock. None on barrel. Lock is mechanically functional and appears to be in original flint, although the top jaw and screw are old replacements and the refaced frizzen was likely replaced during the period refurbishment of the gun. Barrel appears to be in original flint as well, although the touchhole is oversized and shows moderate erosion. There is no indication from endoscopic examination of welding or modification to the barrel. The upper band is a 20th century replacement, but appears to be period and the lower band shows a very old, crudely welded repair. The stock shows heavy wear and some repairs. The last 3.25" of the stock is replaced, as is a 5.5" strip behind this area on the reverse forend and a 10" strip on the obverse. The branded marking shows moderate wear and some loss to the first couple of letters in "UNITED"....more

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18th Century Dutch Flintlock Musket Rebuilt and Upgraded with Barrel Bands

Lot # 31 (Sale Order: 31 of 262)      

18th Century Dutch Flintlock Musket Rebuilt and Upgraded with Barrel Bands
American Revolution - War of 1812
.75 caliber. 40.5" originally pinned barrel, upgraded with brass bands. SN: 696. Bright finish, brass furniture, hardwood stock. Single shot flintlock muzzleloading smoothbore musket. 6.5" flat beveled "banana shaped" flint lock with faceted and fenced unbridled integral iron pan and flat faceted swan neck cock. Lock marked only with a touch mark below the pan and appears to be in original flint with some old repairs on the interior. Round barrel with baluster turned rings at the breech and 9" from the breech, top of barrel engraved No969. Top of buttplate marked with a Q and with the punch dot initials OL. The toe of the stock is stamp numbered 31. Heavy brass triggerguard and two-screw side plate, buttplate with typical bulbous Low Country screw heads on the bottom and a flush fit screw head in the tang. the stock shows rudimentary raised carved moldings around the lock mortise, the counterpane and around the breech plug tang. The musket is equipped with an old iron trumpet head ramrod that is a little short of being a fully functional length for the gun.

The musket was rebuilt, likely by the Dutch sometime circa 1790-1810 using older pattern components like the barrel, lock and old pattern heavy brass hardware and mounted to a newer stock with bands. The tenons for the barrel pins were removed from the barrel, it was probably shortened 2"-4" and the bayonet lug under the barrel, was relocated 1.5" from the muzzle of the shortened barrel. The newer stock was not made for pins, but rather intended for use with barrel bands with only the upper band being equipped with a retention spring and the other bands being friction fit. These upgraded "banded muskets" were actually rather obsolete by this time and many were sold of to American buyers, the state of Massachusetts in particular. This musket was acquired from Norm Flayderman's Catalog #115 as item #1123. While Flayderman lists this as Revolutionary War used example, banded Dutch muskets post-date the war, although the components used in their assembly often pre-date the war. A copy of the Flayderman catalog is included with the gun.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Good. Bore dark, dirty, heavily oxidized and pitted. Metal cleaned in the past, now showing a streaky and oxidized light and dark gray patina and scattered pitting. Breech plug tang broken with an old and ill performed brazed repair to attach it, which is not particularly solid. Endoscopic examination of the barrel does not reveal any internal welding or repairs to indicate reconversion, but the touchhole is oversized and sits a little low and forward in the pan. Lock remains mechanically functional when removed from the stock and is in original flint with the original integral iron pan, but shows old repairs on the interior to keep the lock working. The lock does not work properly when installed in the stock as the tip of the trigger does not appear to fully engage the sear lever to push it enough to release the hammer. The stock shows moderate wear and significant repair and restoration forward of the ramrod entry, with much of the forend glued, repaired, refinished and potentially replaced. The balance of the stock shows moderate wear and numerous bumps, dings and mars, as well as some minor wood loss along edges, mortise cuts, etc....more

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Pair of French Silver Mounted Flintlock Officers Pistols by Jean Seuts (Seux) circa 1785

Lot # 32 (Sale Order: 32 of 262)      

Pair of French Silver Mounted Flintlock Officers Pistols by Jean Seuts (Seux) circa 1785
French Revolution
.62 Caliber. 7.5" pinned two-stage barrels with baluster turned rings at the transitions. NSN. Blued finish, gilt decorations, silver and iron mountings, European hardwood stocks. Single shot muzzleloading flintlock smoothbore officer's pistols. 4.14" flat lockplates with pronounced teats at rear, lightly engraved at tails and engraved Jean Seuts forward of the cock. Locks remain in original flint with fenced, faceted detachable bridled iron pans. Cocks are of the flat faceted swan neck pattern, with one cock screw replaced and one top jaw and screw replaced. Barrels are decorated with a large engraved panel scene featuring panoplies of arms and are enhanced with gold gilt. The blade front sights include gilt highlights around them as well. The pistols features cast silver sideplates with flowing floral motifs and panoplies of arms and two-piece cast silver butt caps with long, thing langets. The chiseled decorations on the butts include floral and martial motifs with the caps featuring a crescent, suggesting the guns may have been made for the Middle Eastern market. Decorative silver thumb pieces are present on the backstraps as well. Stocks with raised Rococo floral carvings behind the breechplug tang and foward of the triggerguard and with more simple raised carved aprons around the lock mortise. Incised lines are neatly executed along the lower portion of the forend. Horn tipped wooden ramrods with flat metal disc faces are secured by a pair of silver pipes. Jean Seuts (more likely "Seux") was working in St. Etienne circa 1783 (Stockel).
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Very good. Bores both dark and oxidized with some pitting and roughness. One pistol with some strong traces of blue on the barrel, the other with less. Gilt highlights strong and likely restored. Barrels with mottled oxidation and splotchy surface roughness with some scattered pitting. Locks with a dull pewter patina and oxidized freckling. Both locks in original flint and mechanically functional. One cock screw replaced, one top jaw and screw replaced. Wood fairly crisp with nice lines and carving, wood showing scattered bumps, dings and mars....more

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Whitney New York State Contract Pre-Model of 1812 Musket

Lot # 33 (Sale Order: 33 of 262)      

Whitney New York State Contract Pre-Model of 1812 Musket
War of 1812
.69 caliber. 41.875" barrel secured by three flat spring-retained barrel bands. NSN. Bright finish, iron furniture, walnut stock. Single shot flintlock muzzleloading smoothbore military musket. 6.5" flat lock in original flint with pointed tail, removable bridled brass pan, rounded reinforced cock. Lock marked N. Haven in a ribbon under the pan. Top of barrel marked NY and with a P proof in a sunken oval. Counterpane with the crisp V./B.P./I.M. in a circle with scalloped edges inspection of New York State inspector John McClean. Musket retains the bell-shaped sling swivels, the brass blade front sight and a steel button head ramrod that is full-length but only has traces of threads on the end.

Whitney delivered 4,000 of these "hybrid" muskets based upon the 1808 Federal Contract Model to the state of New York between 1808 and 1812. His modifications and improvements to the guns over the standard 1808 specifications greatly influenced the specifications for the 1812 Federal contract muskets.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Very good. Bore dark, oxidized and with moderate pitting. Metal cleaned to bright with moderate pitting at the breech. Markings mostly clear, "S" in the SNY mark on the barrel is not visible. Mechanically functional lock in original flint. Touchhole with moderate erosion and somewhat oversized. Stock with scattered bumps, dings and mars and showing some minor wood loss around rear edge of the side plate....more

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Springfield Model 1795 Type III Musket Dated 1810

Lot # 34 (Sale Order: 34 of 262)      

Springfield Model 1795 Type III Musket Dated 1810
War of 1812
.69 caliber. 45" barrel secured by three flat, spring retained bands. NSN. Bright finish, iron furniture, walnut stock. Single shot muzzleloading smoothbore flintlock musket. Lock remains in original flint with an integral bridled and fenced rounded iron pan and a flat beveled reinforced cock with a replaced cock screw. Lock marked US/{Spread-Winged Eagle}/SPRINGFIELD forward of the cock and dated 1810 horizontally at the tail. Buttplate tang dated 1810 as well. Breech with US on top and P/{Eagle Head}/V inspection marks. Counterpane with traces of a script cartouche. Sling swivels replaced, includes a full-length iron button head ramrod.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Good. Bore heavily oxidized and pitted. Metal moderately oxidized with a mottled gray-brown patina and some pitting, most notably around the breech area. Markings in metal remain legible. Lock mechanically functional. Touchhole with heavy erosion, somewhat oversized and sits a little low in the pan. Cock screw and one lock mounting screw replaced. Stock with moderate wear, sanded and refinished with a repaired crack in the counterpane. Wood also with scattered bumps dings and mars....more

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Harpers Ferry 1813 Dated U.S. Model 1795 Type IV Musket

Lot # 35 (Sale Order: 35 of 262)      

Harpers Ferry 1813 Dated U.S. Model 1795 Type IV Musket
War of 1812
.69 caliber. 45" barrel secured by three flat, spring retained bands. NSN. Bright finish, iron furniture, walnut stock. Single shot flintlock muzzleloading smoothbore musket. 6.4375" flat beveled lock with pronounced teat at rear marked with a {Spread-Winged Eagle} forward of the cock and in three vertical lines at the rear HARPERS/FERRY/1813. Lock remains in original flint with a rounded, fenced and bridled iron pan and a flat beveled reinforced cock. Breech with raised US and {Eagle Head/P} proof marks in depressed ovals. Barrel appears to be in original flint, and endoscopic examination does not reveal any indication of welding or interior modification, but the touchhole is over large and no longer correctly tapered, so it is possible that the barrel was altered to percussion via the drum method during the period of use and later restored. The triggerguard plate has rounded ends and measures 9.4375" in length. The barrel band spacing from the breech to the rear edge of the lower band is 11" with the spacing from the middle to upper band of 14.1875" and from the middle to the upper band of 13.875". The socket bayonet lug is located on top of the barrel 1.375" from the muzzle. The musket retains both sling swivels and a nearly full-length button head iron ramrod with no threads on the end. Initials are lightly carved in the obverse and reverse of the stock.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Good. Smooth bore is dark, oxidized and pitted. Metal with a salt and pepper patina showing scattered pinpricking and light pitting over most of the metal. Markings remain mostly legible. Lock is mechanically functional. Top jaw screw may be an old replacement as it is overly long. Stock lightly sanded with scattered bumps, dings and mars and no visible inspection marks....more

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Regimentally Marked Miles 1797 Contract Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Flintlock Musket

Lot # 36 (Sale Order: 36 of 262)      

Regimentally Marked Miles 1797 Contract Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Flintlock Musket
War of 1812
.69 caliber. 44.125" barrel secured by three flat, spring-retained bands. NSN. Bright finish, iron furniture, walnut stock. Single shot flintlock smoothbore muzzleloading musket. Lock marked MILES and CP for Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in two vertical lines at the tail. Lock remains in original flint but is not functioning correctly. Barrel with both a raised {Eagle Head/P} and raised {P} in depressed ovals and marked on top CP 80.R 18 Co No 15. A 6-petal rosette Pennsylvania Dutch style Hex symbol is scribed into the obverse butt. Retains the sling swivels and includes a reproduction ramrod.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Good. Bore dark, dirty, oxidized and pitted. Metal cleaned some time ago and toning down with a dull gray and brown patina and evenly distributed light pitting. Markings mostly legible. Lock in original flint, but not mechanically functional with the top jaw, top jaw screw and front lock screws all replacements. Lock is not seating well in the mortise as the front screw is wrong and the rear screw is worn. Wood with moderate wear, scattered bumps, dings and mars, a crack in the obverse butt that appears to be a non-structural surface grain crack and with chipped loss around the triggerguard mounting pin on the reverse. Ramrod a modern replacement....more

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New Hampshire Surcharged U.S. Contract Model of 1808 Musket by J&C Barstow

Lot # 37 (Sale Order: 37 of 262)      

New Hampshire Surcharged U.S. Contract Model of 1808 Musket by J&C Barstow
War of 1812
.69 caliber. 44.375" barrel secured by three flat, spring retained barrel bands. NSN. Bright finish, steel furniture, walnut stock. 6.25" flat beveled flint lock remains in original flint and is marked with a {Spread-Winged Eagle}/US forward of the flat, beveled, reinforced cock and in two vertical lines at the tail: J&C B/EXETER. This is the less common of the two known J&C Barstow lock markings. Lock with a bridled and fenced rounded iron pan. Breech marked with a script US, {Eagle Head}/CT in a depressed oval and a V inspection marks, along with the upsdie down block letters NH, indicating New Hampshire ownership. Breech plug tang with a capital V inspection. The traces of an illegible clover shaped cartouche is present on the counterpane. Musket retains both bell shaped sling swivels, the brass blade front sight and a period button head iron ramrod that is 42" long, about 2" short of full-length for this gun.

Joshua & Charles Barstow of Exeter, NH delivered 2,471 muskets from their contract for 2,500 guns, between 1810 and 1814, making them the 7 largest deliverer of guns under the Federal 1808 contract out of a total of 19 contractors.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Good. Bore dark, dirty and heavily oxidized with pitting. Metal with deeply oxidized brown patina showing scattered surface oxidation and some pitting. Lock is mechanically functional and remains in original flint. Stock sanded with numerous scattered bumps, dings and mars....more

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Brass Boxlock Flint Overcoat Pistol by Twigg

Lot # 38 (Sale Order: 38 of 262)      

Brass Boxlock Flint Overcoat Pistol by Twigg
.65 caliber. 5.5" octagon to round barrel. NSN. Gunmetal (brass alloy) construction, steel mountings, hardwood grip. Single shot muzzleloading smoothbore flintlock pistol with box lock action and sliding pan locking safety on top of frame. Lightly engraved flat reinforced cock. Reverse of frame lightly engraved with rudimentary trophies of arms and the name TWIGG and obverse of frame engraved in a similar fashion and LONDON. Bottom of barrel with London gunmaker's proofs. A brass tipped wooden ramrod is secured to the left side of the barrel and frame. John Twigg worked in London as a gunmaker circa 1755 to 1790.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Very good. Bore moderately oxidized and discolored. Brass with a medium golden patina, likely cleaned at some point in the last couple of decades. Mechanically functional lock, including safety system. Wood with some wear and some added finish....more

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Pair of Brass Cannon Barreled Flintlock Snap Bayonet Pistols Marked H Cook

Lot # 39 (Sale Order: 39 of 262)      

Pair of Brass Cannon Barreled Flintlock Snap Bayonet Pistols Marked H Cook
Nominally .50 caliber, .85 at muzzle. 6" octagon to round wedge retained barrels with baluster turned transitions. NSN. Brass barrels, steel lock, brass furniture, hardwood stock. Single shot flintlock smooth bore cannon muzzle pistols with spring deployed bayonet. 3.85" flat, stepped and bolted flint locks lightly engraved and somewhat crudely marked H COOK. Locks remains in original flint with flat bottom and fenced iron pans with roller frizzens. Plain swan neck cocks. The interiors of the locks and tops of the bayonet locking lugs show the matching assembly numbers 19 on one gun and 27 on the other. Barrels with no visible proofs and showing depressed maker's marks of a {Crown} and a {Fleur-de-Lis}. Breeches with what appear to be Irish Registration numbers, DC-168 and DC-171, indicating registration in Dublin City during the 1843 Registration Act. Pistols are equipped with a 5" snap bayonets with a 3.75" triangular blades, with the releases mounted on the breech plug tangs. Pistols include brass tipped wood ramrods. In the absence of English proof marks and considering the somewhat crude construction when compared to similar guns from Birmingham or London, it seems likely these are of Irish origin, or possibly French due to the barrel markings, but the Cook name seems unlikely in that case. A neat pair of Irish registered snap bayonet flint pistols that display nicely.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Very good. Bores heavily oxidized and discolored. Barrels with a pleasing golden patina. Markings mostly legible. "H COOK" crudely stamped, possibly one letter at time. Locks and barrels remain in original flint. One pistol needs mechanical attention to function correctly, neither pistol has a correctly functioning safety. Snap bayonets essentially functional, however one does not lock in place correctly and the other does not unlock as it should without manipulating the locking spring. Wood with some wear and showing a lower level of wood to metal fit that would be expected from most English guns of the period. Wood with scattered bumps, dings and mars....more

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Flintlock Brass Cannon Barrel Snap Bayonet Pistol Marked Twigg

Lot # 40 (Sale Order: 40 of 262)      

Flintlock Brass Cannon Barrel Snap Bayonet Pistol Marked Twigg
Nominally .50 caliber, .85 at muzzle. 8.25" octagon to round wedge retained barrel with baluster turned transition. NSN. Brass barrel, steel lock, brass furniture, hardwood stock. Single shot flintlock smooth bore cannon muzzle pistol with spring deployed bayonet. 3.75" flat, stepped and bolted flint lock marked TWIGG. Lock remains in original flint with a rounded and fenced waterproof iron pan with roller frizzen. Swan neck cock lightly engraved. Barrel with post-1813 Birmingham commercial proof marks and an indistinct tombstone shaped maker's mark. Top of barrel marked --LONDON--. Equipped with a 7" snap bayonet with a 5.5" triangular blade, with the release mounted on the breech plug tang. Includes an old horn tipped wooden ramrod that is too short to be functional, and is likely an old replacement. As the famous John Twigg of London died in 1790, this gun was likely made in the 1830s or 1840s by Edward Twigg of Birmingham, thus explaining the post-1813 Birmingham proof marks. It was not uncommon for Birmingham makers to mark their guns "London" to imply a higher level of quality and many makers often traded on the fact they shared a surname with more famous gunmaker.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Very good. Bore moderately oxidized and discolored. Brass with an attractive golden patina, showing some discoloration suggesting it was polished long ago. Markings legible, with the exception of the maker's mark which was likely intended to be illegible. Mechanically functional, including the lock, bolted safety and snap bayonet. Wood with scattered bumps, dings and mars, showing some minor fitting issues at the tail of the lock and the tang. Also with a couple of minor surface cracks between the cock and the tang....more

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Pair of French Style Flintlock Muff Pistols

Lot # 41 (Sale Order: 41 of 262)      

Pair of French Style Flintlock Muff Pistols
.50 caliber. 3.25" octagon to round barrels with baluster turned transitions. NSN. Bright finish, steel mountings, silver wire inlay, European hardwood stocks. Single shot muzzleloading smoothbore flintlock pocket pistols. 3" convex pointed locks are in original flint and are unmarked. Locks with fenced and bridled rounded iron pans and rounded swan neck cocks. Steel butt caps engraved with rudimentarily engraved facial motifs in the form of the "grotesque mask". Aprons inlaid with silver wire and with a silver wire border around the butt caps. Both pistols include button head steel ramrods. No markings, but stylistically likely first quarter of the 19th century and of French origin.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Good. Bores moderately oxidized with some surface rust. Steel lightly cleaned with speckled oxidation and discoloration. Locks mechanically functional. Silver wire essentially intact. Wood with some light wear and handling marks....more

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Pair of Brass Barrel Flintlock Canadian Militia Style Pistols by W. Ketland & Co.

Lot # 42 (Sale Order: 42 of 262)      

Pair of Brass Barrel Flintlock Canadian Militia Style Pistols by W. Ketland & Co.
.63 caliber. 7.875" pinned brass barrels. NSN. Bright finish, brass furniture, hardwood stocks. Single shot smootbore flintlock pistols. 4.5" flat locks in original flint and marked under the pans W./KETLAND/&Co. Locks with rounded and fenced, unbridled steel pans and flat faceted swan neck cocks. Locks and cocks with simple boarder line engraving. Breeches with post-1813 Birmingham proof marks and nocksforms marked LONDON. Flat New Land style sideplates, rudimentary brass butt caps, simple trade grade triggerguards, two ramrod pipes secure wooden ramrods with steel wipers at the ends, one with a brass disc tip. The overall form is very similar to the inexpensive Canadian Militia Pistols contracted for by the Board of Ordnance circa 1810-1815, with the exception of these having brass barrels. While very similar they are not an identical pair but more likely a mated pair. These pistols would have been equally at home in the pommel holsters of a militia cavalryman, an officer of lesser means or being used as items of trade. William Ketland established himself in the Birmingham gun trade in 1802 and worked as W. Ketland & Co circa 1808 to 1831.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Very good. Bores moderately oxidized and discolored. Brass with a dark mustard patina, steel with a mottled and oxidized gray appearance. Markings remain legible. Mechanically functional locks, although the combs of both cocks are broken off leaving minimal rotational support for the top jaws. One frizzen spring is likely a period of use replacement. Wood with moderate wear, including bumps, dings and scuffs. One stock has a small area of filler forward of the triggerguard, below the front edge of the lock....more

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Pair of British Flintlock Pistols with Belt Hooks by Hampton

Lot # 43 (Sale Order: 43 of 262)      

Pair of British Flintlock Pistols with Belt Hooks by Hampton
.65 caliber. 7.125" barrel length. SN: NSN. Buffed finish in the white with brass triggerguard and furnishings set in pinned walnut stock with round pommel. Pair of single shot flintlock pistols featuring octagonal barrels with waterproof pan and roller frizzen springs. Light wheat chaff engraving to the cocks with sunbursts behind pans and single line border engraving. Items further feature pineapple finials and floral engraving on the triggerguards. Lockplates are signed HAMPTON/& SON, and both barrels exhibit Birmingham proof marks to the left barrel flats. Belt hooks retained by screws on the counterpane of each pistol, and both pistols come with wood ramrods mounting horn heads.

Likely manufactured by gunmaker Thomas Hampton, who was active in Birmingham from 1807 until his death in 1824. Hampton manufactured an assortment of arms including martial and hunting weapons. In particular he advertised himself as, "manufacturer of arms to His Majesty's Honourable Board of Ordnance, and of all kinds of fine fowling pieces, guns & pistols for exportation." Known examples of Hampton's work can range from exceptionally ornate to the far more modest and utilitarian pair on offer with this lot.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Good. Bores are very dark with oxidation and patina throughout. Metal finishes show brown patina on the edges with some light pitting on the cock jaws and around touch hole. Stocks exhibit cracking to the forend surrounding the ramrod cutouts, along with dents and scattered mars overall. Both pistols show signs of polishing and refinishing of both the wood and metal. One pistol shows a large split on the right wrist behind the lockplate that has been polished down. Same pistol has a detached cock and is missing the hammer screw, and shows a shattered forward edge to the tumbler nut. Action of complete pistol is functional....more

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Pair of Unmarked Continental Brass Cannon Barrel Flintlock Muff Pistols

Lot # 44 (Sale Order: 44 of 262)      

Pair of Unmarked Continental Brass Cannon Barrel Flintlock Muff Pistols
.45 caliber. 3.75" three stage octagon to round barrels with cannon muzzles. NSN. Brass barrels and furniture, steel locks, hardwood stocks. Single shot smoothbore muzzleloading flintlock pistols. Guns are unmarked. Convex locks remain in original flint, with rounded, fenced and bridled iron pans and rounded swan neck cocks. Frizzens with curled toes. Brass triggerguards with rudimentary urn finials and flat brass butt caps. The styling and shape of the grip with extended curve ending in a flat butt suggests French origin, likely first quarter of the 19th century.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Good. Bores moderately oxidized and showing some pitting on their breechfaces on the interior. Brass with an attractive mustard patina. Locks with a steel gray appearance, one mechanically functional and one not, having a broken sear arm that shows evidence of an old welded repair. Wood with moderate wear, some chipped wood loss around the lock mortises and one showing a crack at the forward lock screw. Otherwise wood with scattered bumps, dings and mars....more

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Rare Published Late 18th Century New England Brass Barreled Flintlock Rifle, ex-Flayderman

Lot # 45 (Sale Order: 45 of 262)      

Rare Published Late 18th Century New England Brass Barreled Flintlock Rifle, ex-Flayderman
.50 caliber. 35" heavy brass pinned octagonal barrel. NSN. Brass barrel and furniture, full-length cherry stock. Single shot flintlock muzzleloading brass barreled rifle. Reconverted flint lock marked Ketland/& Co in two script lines under the pan. The gun is otherwise unmarked. Heavy brass barrel measures nominally 1.11" across the flats at the muzzle and 1.22" at the breech. Equipped with a fixed dovetailed notch rear sight and a dovetailed brass blade front sight. Full-length stock with a graceful semi-Roman nosed drop and a deeply fluted rail at the wrist. The style of the stock and butt suggest the Worcester-Sutton area of Massachusetts. Buttplate with pronounced swell at the upper rear and with a multi-step tang. Small simple triggerguard with graceful lines and a simple three leaf finial. Simple and somewhat crude flat rudimentary S-shaped two-screw side plate. Rifle has three brass ramrod thimbles and an entry pipe but no rod is present.

According to the Flayderman Catalog #111 (Item #1705) gun is featured in Merrill Lindsay's book The New England Gun For the First Two Hundred Years, with discussion on pages 119 and 120 as item #11. However, while #11 on pages 117 and 120 do discuss a brass rifle with a T. Ketland & Co. marked lock, it also mentions a silver escutcheon plate and silver inlay at the breech. Since the balance of the description is correct (barrel length, width, caliber, etc) I think this was merely an editing or layout error, as other silver inlaid guns are described in the same section. Lindsay dates the gun to circa 1780. The gun is attributed to the Flayderman Collection in the book. A copy of the Flayderman catalog and Merrill Lindsay's book are included with the rifle.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Good. Bore very good, moderately oxidized with deep rifling. Brass barrel cleaned long ago and toning to a medium golden color with scattered ding and impact marks, as well as scattered patches of oxidation and discoloration. Lock lightly pitted, reconverted to flint and not currently functional. The replacement mainspring is slightly too short to correctly rest on the tumbler when the hammer is lowered, so after it is correctly reinstalled, it slips off the tumbler when the hammer is lowered. This would be a simple fix for a competent restoration gunsmith. Buttplate with a rich, untouched ocher patina. Stock with moderate wear, with a nominally .325" wide by 15" long replaced piece of wood at the upper edge of the forend on the reverse and a similar 3" repair on the obverse at the muzzle. A diagonal repair about 6" long emanating from the front of the lock up towards the barrel juncture is present too, as well as a small crack at the rear lock screw on the reverse. Otherwise the stock is mostly untouched and uncleaned with a rich patina and numerous scattered bumps, dings and mars....more

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A 19th Century Miquelet Fowler

Lot # 46 (Sale Order: 46 of 262)      

A 19th Century Miquelet Fowler
About .69 caliber. 30.5" two stage octagonal to round barrel. SN: NSN. Browned metal finish. Carved walnut stock has checkered sections to straight grip and forearm. Miquelet flintlock action with a brass post front sight, double sling swivels, single brass barrel band, and a button head cleaning rod. Lockplate is marked BONA.NASTR and has some simple floral scroll work. Barrel appears to have an illegible maker's mark in front of breech. Most likely Spanish.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Good. Bore is dark. Finish has a mottled brown appearance overall. Wood stock has scratches, mars, and losses scattered overall. There are also several hairline cracks around wrist and wormholes to checkered portion of grip. Brass fittings have mottled discoloration. Action is functional....more

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French Model 1842 Dragoon Rifle Musket

Lot # 47 (Sale Order: 47 of 262)      

French Model 1842 Dragoon Rifle Musket
.708 caliber. 33.5" barrel secured by three flat, spring-retained barrel bands. NSN. Bright finish, iron furniture, European hardwood stock. Single shot percussion muzzleloading rifle with 1,000-yard military ladder rear sight, brass blade front sight, sling swivels and heavy cupped ramrod. Back action percussion lock marked Mre Rle/de Tulle in two script lines, breech plug tang marked Mle 1842, right of breech dated 1845, left of breech with French arsenal acceptance marks. French storekeeper's mark in obverse buttstock intentionally sanded off, box wood plug in place.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Good to Very good. Bore mostly bright with moderate oxidation and strong rifling. Metal with a mottled and oxidized gray patina. Mechanically functional lock. Stock sanded with storekeeper's roundel removed. Wood with scattered bumps, dings and mars....more

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Ornate 19th Century German Silver Decorated Heavy Barrel Flintlock Rifle Signed "S.S."

Lot # 48 (Sale Order: 48 of 262)      

Ornate 19th Century German Silver Decorated Heavy Barrel Flintlock Rifle Signed "S.S."
.44 caliber. 38.5" heavy octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Browned metal finish. Walnut full stock with straight grip and carved cheek rest. Flintlock rifle with adjustable notch rear sight and German silver blade front sight. Item features double set triggers, a capbox to right side, and striped wood ramrod with German brass tip. Stock is profusely inlaid with 64 German silver escutcheons in various shapes such as hearts, teardrops, florals, a rococo style grip plate, turkeys, and an American eagle containing a portrait vignette of a bearded gentleman on cheek rest. Comb, buttplate, triggerguard, forend cap, thimbles, and capbox are all German silver as well. Lock is unsigned and features simple floral scrollwork. Barrel is signed S.S. behind rear sight, and there is a rectangular dashed line box in front of rear sight.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Good to very good. Finish has a brown/plum appearance, with scattered sprinkled of pitting overall. Stock shows some scattered light scratches, hairline cracking runs entire length of forearm on both sides (in between escutcheons). Stock also appears to be spliced behind ramrod socket, possibly a repair. Wrist appears to have been broken and repaired at some point. Lock most likely buffed or refinished at some point. Action will need work, hammer does not hold in cocked position....more

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Fullstock Early Percussion-era Kentucky Rifle by Jacob Stoudenour (Bedford County PA, 1795-1863)

Lot # 49 (Sale Order: 49 of 262)      

Fullstock Early Percussion-era Kentucky Rifle by Jacob Stoudenour (Bedford County PA, 1795-1863)
About .41 caliber. 44" octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Browned metal finish. Curled maple Bedford County style stock has a straight grip with low comb, carved cheekpiece, and full length forearm. Percussion rifle with notch and blade sights. Item features double set triggers, patchbox to right side, and a high forward curving "rat tail" spur hammer typical of the Bedford County School. Stock is carved with raised rococo style C-scroll on left side of butt, raised wave carving in front of cheekpiece, along with incised lines along forearm that end in scroll tendrils and feathered panel carvings on both sides. Brass patchbox is pierced five times, has eight screws, a Q-finial, and scrollwork engravings with simple crosshatching overall. Item features several silver escutcheons including a blank circular vignette to wrist with simple crosshatching and border, two tear drops with simple stars and border to sides of wrist, and an eye shaped escutcheon engraved with an eagle clutching arrows to cheekpiece. Barrel is unmarked, but hand forged lock appears to be marked with a partially obscured J.S. in script, similar to other Stoudenour rifles documented in Hetrick's The Bedford County Rifle and Its Makers. Brass fittings include faceted buttplate, thimbles, triggerguard, and a rounded forend. Includes wood ramrod, possibly added later.

Jacob Stoudenour (1795-1863), is known as one of the finest and most prolific gunmakers to have worked in Bedford County PA. His rifles seem to be the most encountered out of the Bedford school, and he is said to have made many flintlock rifles early in his career (40 to 50). A lot of Stoudenour's rifles have been seen with percussion conversions, suggesting that he also may have employed a number of apprentices, according to Hetrick. One of those apprentices was William Moore.

Stoudenour, is believed to have been trained by Peter White (1778 - 1835), who is considered by Hetrick to be "the dean" of all Bedford County gunmaking, considering his stylistic influence is shown on most rifles from other later Bedford school makers. Tax records show that White's father's name was Andrew, and that he was from Emmitsburg, MD. There is little known about White's life prior to appearing on tax records in 1807. However, it is theorized that he was trained by John Armstrong of the Emmitsburg School, and that one of White's earliest rifles is signed "P.W." and dated to 1794. That same rifle was made for Johannes Snowberger, of the Snow Hill Cloister, based in what is now Franklin County (17 miles from Emmitsburg). Because of this, experts assume that he began his career as a Maryland gunsmith before becoming a Pennsylvania gunsmith. White then shows up again in 1812 after listing an advertisement in Bedford's THE TRUE AMERICAN, desirously seeking a "bright young man as apprentice to learn the gunsmith trade". This young man is believed to have been Jacob Stoudenour, who was from Colerain Township where White was also located. Stoudenour, was also about the age of 17 at the time, which was a likely age for an apprentice.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Good to very good. Bore is dark. Finish has an attractive mottled brown/plum appearance overall, with scattered pitting and scratches. Wood stock is in good condition, with a hairline crack extending between wrist escutcheons, and some hairline cracks and in front of lock. Patchbox cover has some light denting and gapping. Tear drop escutcheon on left side is slightly bent upward, possibly from catching on cloth at some point. Action will need work, hammer does not hold in half or full cock position....more

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Attractive German Silver Mounted Full Stock Percussion Altered Kentucky Rifle Signed "Armstrong"

Lot # 50 (Sale Order: 50 of 262)      

Attractive German Silver Mounted Full Stock Percussion Altered Kentucky Rifle Signed "Armstrong"
About .52 caliber. 36" octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Browned metal finish. Curled maple stock has a straight grip and carved cheekpiece to left side. Percussion rifle most likely converted from flintlock at some point, with notch rear sight and silver post front sight. Item features double set triggers, patchbox to left side, and a rifled barrel. Stock has 14 German silver escutcheons deeply engraved with scrollwork to both sides including six to forearm (three on both sides), four more elaborate escutcheons to left side of butt, one on top of wrist, one on right side of butt, one on comb, an engraved eagle to cheekpiece, and an engraved grip plate to bottom of forearm. Patchbox is very elaborate with 13 pierced sections and deep attractive scrollwork engravings. Brass fittings included faceted buttplate, thimbles, and triggerguard, as well as a wave pattern engraved toe plate with 5 screws, and a cheekpiece plate that appears to be very lightly engraved with a name in script (possibly Dxxxx S. William). Barrel is engraved with a name that appears to be Armstrong, preceded by two illegible initials that appear to be A.H. most likely of gunmaker Aaron H. Armstrong from Mercer County. Lock has illegible manufacturer markings and simple game scene engravings, possibly a commercial English lock and likely a replacement. Includes half of a more recent wood ramrod.

Aaron H. Armstrong was a Western Pennsylvania gunsmith who is believed to have worked in Beaver County c.1841-46, and is listed in the 1850 Mercer County census working as a gunsmith.

It is possible that this rifle was assembled from several rifles/parts at some point during the early percussion period or after. It has several style characteristics that are similar to "Golden Age" Kentucky rifles sold online, as well as schools of gunmakers detailed in Kindig's Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle. During examination, it was noted that this rifle has forearm escutcheons that are similar to an Allen Armstrong rifle sold in 2011. However, the "National Road" patchbox style and silver escutcheons on the butt are also very similar to rifles shown in Kindig's Thoughts (T. Allison, G. Kettering, and an unknown maker, p.532-538). The National Road patchbox was also a characteristic used by gunmakers of the Pittsburgh and Mercer/Beaver County Schools. These three gunmakers all used the same style of elaborate, heavily pierced and engraved patchboxes. They also carved their stocks with beautiful raised scrollwork very similar to the silver escutcheon shapes used on this rifle. The barrel plain script signature "Armstrong" appears very similar to how John Armstrong signed his barrels, but without the brass plate inlet. In addition to Armstrong, this rifle also shares similarities with gunmakers Andrew Kopp and Nathaniel Row of the Emmitsburg School. Kopp was an older contemporary of John Armstrong and is believed to have influenced his work. According to Kinding, Kopp was most likely trained trained by George Eister of York County.
This lot is located in Cincinnati. ...more

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1.178.0.1774.cf7307d.25.139