Iconic Firearms Collections at Auction, Day One

Iconic Firearms Collections at Auction, Day One

Sunday, March 15, 2015  |  10:00 AM Eastern
Auction closed.
Iconic Firearms Collections at Auction, Day One

Iconic Firearms Collections at Auction, Day One

Sunday, March 15, 2015  |  10:00 AM Eastern
Auction closed.
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Description

An Event for the Ages, this highly anticipated fresh to the market offering will be the focus of those passionate about firearms history.12 prestigious collections will be featured.

James D. Julia Inc.


(207) 453-7125
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Pg : 20 of 23

RARE ONE OF A KIND LEHIGH COUNTY LONGRIFLE ATTRIBUTED TO "STOEFFEL LONG" WITH TWO "INDIAN HEADS".

Lot # 1478A (Sale Order: 476 of 563)      

Cal. 50. Gun measures 61" overall with 45" fully oct bbl, smooth bore. This is an important Lehigh/Northampton School Golden Age Kentucky Rifle. The stock is profusely incised carved front and rear of the cheekpiece, behind the bbl tang, and around the rear ramrod ferrule in the highly desired Pennsylvania Dutch Kutztown style. The Lehigh County "Indian" is incised carved forward of the trigger guard. Two piece patchbox has a characteristic fleur-de-lis finial with engraved lid again depicting the Lehigh Indian design. The presence of the mysterious "Indian head" design adds greatly to the desirability of any Lehigh County School rifle. To have two heads on one quality rifle is extremely rare. There are many theories regarding the significance of these "Indian heads" including among them the Indian Chief Tammany, the Sons of Liberty, Masonic, religious, etc. The only thing we do know is that the symbol was only important and used in the Lehigh County area. For example: the Sons of Liberty and their Liberty caps brought the Liberty Bell from Philadelphia to Allentown after the Revolution to protect it from the British. There is a decorative carved molding along the bottom of the butt stock. This gun features the areas most desirable stock profile with its pronounced drop at the toe of the stock. The half moon brass engraved cheekpiece inlay and the brass engraved thumb piece inlay are each held with a wood screw as is characteristic on longguns from this school of gunsmithing. The brass two-screw side plate terminates in a point, typical of Long's rifles. Christoffel Long (Stoffel Long) was born in 1793 and died in October of 1858. He lived and worked in the Town of Stoney Run, Albany Township, Berks County, PA where he is buried in Stoney Run. He was an early gunsmith in the Allemaengel School of Gunsmithing. This gun was made in the Golden Age of Kentucky Rife gunsmithing and a similar gun dated 1819 is pictured in The Kentucky Rifle - A True American Heritage in Picture published in 1967 by the Kentucky Rifle Association. PROVENANCE: Phillip Flayderman, Norm Flayderman Collection, Steve Hench Collection, Dr. William Dupree. CONDITION: Very good to fine overall. The orig hand-forged German style lock is expertly reconverted from percussion to flint. Surfaces to brass mostly smooth with mustard colored patina. Wood and metal have an old, thin varnish over most of the surface. Wood overall is sound with typical small blemishes. Black light inspection reveals a minor expertly repaired crack at base of lock and one small inset repaired wood sliver 1" x 1/4" above metal pipe on right side of stock. 4-54771

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VERY RARE INCISED CARVED BUCKS COUNTY KENTUCKY RIFLE BY THE QUAKERTOWN GUNSMITH GEORGE WEIKER.

Lot # 1479 (Sale Order: 477 of 563)      

Cal. 54. 59" overall. 4-1/4" x 1-3/4" buttplate. 43-1/2" full oct unsigned rifled bbl. This rifle has a fine curly maple stock that is profusely incised carved with the traditional Bucks County fine line carving. The carving on the cheekpiece side consists of C-scrolls behind the cheekpiece attached to incised C-scrolls forward of the cheekpiece and forward of the patchbox. The carving behind the bbl tang is elegant incised and low relief shell design and there are fleur-de-lis carvings behind the lock and sideplate mortises. Beautiful fine incised carving continues around the rear ramrod entrance ferrule. The traditional 1-pc bottom-hinged patchbox is engraved "G WEIKER gun Smith price $16.48". The Pennsylvania German hand-forged lock is not engraved. The heavy beveled brass sideplate is the typical Bucks County "horned style" and the trigger guard is also characteristic of Bucks County with the stud on the front of the wide bow. The rear ramrod entrance pipe has the typical Bucks County beehive design on it's finial. George Weiker is one of the more famous of the Bucks County gunsmiths who lived and worked in the Quakertown area in the late 18th century. He had a practice of signing his patchboxes with his name and price of his gun, examples of his work are rare and highly desirable. This gun is an excellent example of the very fine line incised carving popular on Bucks County guns and is rather early as evidenced by the scrolled trigger and the thickness of the butt. This is an important rifle that has been in many outstanding collections in the past and sold only when its owners passed away. The brass tack in the stock behind the trigger guard numbered 130 identifies the fact that this gun had a one time been in the famous Herman Dean Collection. PROVENANCE: Ex. Herman Dean Collection, Ex. Joseph Murphy Collection. CONDITION: This gun is in fine condition throughout. 4-55451

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EXTREMELY FINE INCISED CARVED BUCK'S COUNTY RIFLE ATTRIBUTED TO JOHN SCHULER.

Lot # 1480 (Sale Order: 478 of 563)      

NSN. Cal. .55. 58" overall, 4-1/4" x 1-1/2" buttplate, 42-3/4" full oct unsigned, smooth bore bbl. Bucks County is located between Philadelphia and the Lehigh Valley along the important early trade route used for trade with the large Indian settlement in the Lehigh/Northampton Country area. Many very important Golden Age early Kentucky Rifle gunsmiths spent some time in the Bucks County Area on their way to settle eventually in the Lehigh/Northampton County Area or west into Berks County. There are very few gunsmiths, however, who remained in the Bucks County Area including Shuler, Weiker and Dubbs. For this reason, existing rifles by Bucks County gunsmiths are few and far between. This rifle exhibits the early scrolled trigger and wide trigger bow as found in the very early guns of the period. The side opening one-piece engraved brass patchbox is unique to guns of the Bucks County School. The engraved "propeller design" on the patchbox is Shuler's accepted signature. This gun has fine line incised carving forward and rear of cheekpiece and forward of the brass patchbox. Very fine line carving is characteristic of guns made in the Bucks County School. The heavy, beveled brass sideplate is an early feature and the small horns surrounding the rear sideplate screw are characteristic of the school as well. Some Bucks County characteristics were carried over into the Lehigh/Northampton County School including the stud on the forward part of the trigger guard bow and the fleur-de-lis design carved behind the pointed bbl tang. It is a characteristic of existing Bucks County rifles that the ramrod entrance ferrule has a long, decorative rear flange. This rifle is unique in that the flange extends all the way to the trigger guard, effectively creating a brass saddleplate. Another characteristic which identifies this gun as Bucks County is the very short 5/8" brass nosecap which again is unique to the area. Though unsigned, the attribution of John Schuler is most probable, if not definitive. John Schuler is listed in Kauffman in 1811, but this gun appears to have been made in the late 18th century. This is an outstanding & beautiful gun. PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. William Dupree. CONDITION: Very good to fine overall. Metal is grey & smooth with some slight staining & pitting at breech. Stock is especially fine with good red color and much of its orig varnish. Only wood restoration appears to be a small 1" inset just forward of lock. There is also a repair above wear plate on right side contemporary to its time of use which was repaired with a small brass tack. Though reconverted, a complete orig lock with matching patina was utilized. 4-54772

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IMPORTANT 18TH CENTURY GUN ATTRIBUTED TO GEORGE FREDERICK FAINOT, SUPPLIER OF ARMS TO THE CONTINENTA

Lot # 1481 (Sale Order: 479 of 563)      

Cal. 58. 65" overall. 4-1/2" x 1-5/8" buttplate. 50" long oct to rnd smooth bore Buck and Ball bbl. This very early smooth rifle has a 4-pc engraved patchbox which is characteristic in design of George Fainot's existing rifles. Fainot's patchbox designs bear little resemblance to classic Lancaster rifles. Patchbox door is engraved with a flower-like design. The rifle has a hand-forged German lock. The relief carving forward and back of the cheekpiece is nicely done in the style of the early Lancaster rifles with nice chain-like carving under the cheek not unlike that found on early Bonewitz's rifles. The heavy beveled brass sideplate is unlike most found on Lancaster rifles in that it is more French in style. The bbl is held to the stock with four bbl wedges. Curly maple stock has artistically executed carving behind the bbl tang with relief carved beavertails behind the lock and sideplate mortises. George Fainot was born in 1728 in France and immigrated to Canada in 1752. He spent some time in New York after which he relocated to Lancaster in 1717 where he ran his gun shop until approximately 1783. In 1779, Fainot was one of 16 local gunsmiths paid by the Continental Congress for gunsmithing work. He was also a supplier of arms to the Continental Army after the Revolutionary War. The architecture of Fainots work is clearly in the Lancaster style, but he chose to retain the influenced gained from past experiences so that his work does not "fit the mold" of the Lancaster School. Fainots' works are rarely encountered today and this cataloger has only ever seen one signed example. PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. Douglas Sirkin. CONDITION: The flintlock is a well-done reconversion. The quality of the patchbox is superb and is compatible to the quality of the rest of the gun. 4-49967 RG23

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RELIEF AND INCISED CARVED CURLY MAPLE RIFLE BY JOHN BONEWITZ MARKED WOMELDORF TOWN ON PATCHBOX.

Lot # 1482 (Sale Order: 480 of 563)      

NSN. 42-1/2" full oct 60 Cal. smooth unmarked bbl. Overall 57-1/2", butt is 4-3/4" x 1-7/8". 4-pc engraved brass patchbox with Bonewitz's characteristic finial. Stock is made from excellent quality curly maple with a high cheekpiece and a well defined high comb. Patchbox door is engraved "Womeldorf Town" and catch is fasted by 2 rivets, typical of his work. A very similar rifle is pictured on plate no.80 on p. 211 of Kindig's Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle in it's Golden Age. Cheekpiece side of butt is nicely relief carved with C-scrolls and serpentine detail carved in relief under cheekpiece is considered his "signature". Carving under cheek flows into wrist carving which is also characteristic of Bonewitz's design. Very nicely engraved silver eagle inlay positioned over long brass inlay on cheek. Nicely relief carved around bbl tang and incised carved at rear ramrod furrule. John Bonewitz is listed in 1792 and 1800 tax lists of Heidelberg Township, Berks County. He worked in the town of Womelsdorf, a town in Heidelberg Township, originally called Middletown. Bonewitz is one of four masters of Womelsdorf School working from at least 1779-1809. PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. Douglas Sirkin. CONDITION: Fine example of a Bonewitz rifle which is one of few in existence with town name on patchbox lid and with silver eagle on cheek. 26" of forend wood professionally replaced. Very small 1/2" x 1/4" triangular patch of wood has been inlet to left of bbl tang and 2" section of wood under lock where apparently a broken main spring had split wood. Flintlock may be a replacement. 4-49876 RG15

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RELIEF CARVED AND SIGNED WOLMESDORF JOHN BONEWITZ KENTUCKY RIFLE.

Lot # 1483 (Sale Order: 481 of 563)      

NSN. 41-1/2" full oct 60 caliber smooth bbl stamped "IB" at the breech for John Bonewitz. Rifle has a four piece engraved typical Bonewitz style patchbox. Patchbox lid catch is fastened by two rivets and the patchbox finial is identical to the one pictured in figure 6 of John Bonewitz's Primer of Sophia by Lorentz Kafka published in the spring 1994 Kentucky Rifle Association bulletin as well as the patchbox on Kindig's rifle number 80. This rifle has a wavy carved detail under the cheekpiece, indicative of Bonewitz. John Bonewitz is one of the most collectible of the early Heidelberg Township, Berks County gunsmiths. Bonewitz rarely signed his rifles but this rifle is stamped "I.B." near the breech with a small die. Some of Bonewitz's existing rifles are stamped with the "I.B." and rampant lion while others have only the "I.B." stamp. This "I.B." stamping is unlike the one used with the lion as shown on the cover of the Kentucky Rifle Association Bulletin Vol. 29 No. 2. This cataloger is not familiar with this "I.B." stamping. Brass furniture and heavy beveled brass sideplate are all typical of Bonewitz's work and the trigger design is similar to Bonewitz's rifle number 78 in Kindig. Relief carving is beautifully composed of C scrolls and is very similar to that found on the majority of Bonewitz's guns. Bonewitz's carving designs are similar to those attributed to J. Haga. Relief carving on cheek side of the butt forward and rear of the cheekpiece is very deep and attractively executed. There is heavy relief carving around the barrel tang and incised carving surrounding the rear ramrod pipe. Flint lock is not marked. Rifle is 57 5/8" in overall length. PROVENANCE: The James Milton, California Collection. Collection of Dr. Douglas Sirkin. CONDITION: Wood restoration on this rifle from the lock to the nosecap. Entire butt end of the stock and its very attractive and deep carving are exceptionally well done and original. Flint lock has been reconverted. 4-49834 RG32

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YORK COUNTY GEORGE SCHROYER RELIEF CARVED KENTUCKY RIFLE.

Lot # 1484 (Sale Order: 482 of 563)      

Cal. 60. Overall length 58-3/8", 4-1/2" x 1-1/2" buttplate. 43" full oct smooth bbl signed "George Shroyer" in brass plate inlet into the top flat of the bbl. Not only did George Schroyer spell his name differently on gun bbls (Scheyer, Schreyer, Schryer, Shroyer, Shyer and Schroyer) but the script is often illegible. 4-piece engraved brass patchbox with 2 triangular piercings. Curly maple stock is relief carved to rear and forward of cheekpiece and behind bbl tang. Carving at rear ramrod pipe is worn smooth. Hand forged flintlock is unsigned. 5_ brass toeplate. The patchbox release is on the tang of the buttplate. 2-screw heavy beveled brass sideplate has no engraving. George Schroyer moved to Hanover about the beginning of the Revolutionary War. He is found in the 1783 Hanover tax records. Records dated 1793 identify Schroyer as a gunsmith and he is listed as a gunsmith in Hanover as late as 1813. George Schroyer made beautiful Kentucky rifles before, during and right after the Revolutionary War. PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. Douglas Sirkin. CONDITION: Good. Lock appears to be orig flint. Some minor wood replacement between lock and bbl tang and approx 10" of forestock at muzzle is properly replaced. 4-49917

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IMPORTANT RELIEF AND INCISED CARVED GEORGE SCHREYER RIFLE.

Lot # 1485 (Sale Order: 483 of 563)      

Cal. 50. Overall length 57-3/4", 4-1/2" x 1-3/4" buttplate. 42" full oct smooth bbl signed "G Schreyer". This gun is pictured as gun #34 on pg 112 in Shumway's book George Schreyer, Sr & Jr, Gunmakers of Hanover, York County Pennsylvania. Quoting that book, "Top flat of the bbl carries the usual script signature "G Schreyer". The 4-petal flower design used on patchbox finial is not unusual for a Schreyer rifle, but it is unusual to have the finial outlined with relief carving that terminates in a pair of volutes. There are other small surprises on the stock, such as the small figure carved at the front end of the comb, and the three connected balls to the rear of the bbl tang, and the curious carved details around rear ramrod pipe." The gun is also pictured in the 1967 Kentucky Rifle Association The Kentucky Rifle, a True American Heritage in Pictures on pg 70. PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. Douglas Sirkin. CONDITION: Good. Stock of this rifle has been properly cleaned and the lock and sideplate properly replaced. Some wood has been replaced around the bottom of the lock. 4-49765

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WONDERFUL RELIEF CARVED YORK COUNTRY RIFLE SIGNED GEORGE SCHREYER.

Lot # 1486 (Sale Order: 484 of 563)      

Cal. 44. 57-1/2" overall, buttplate is 4-5/8" x 1-7/8", bbl is 42-1/4" long, full oct. bbl is signed "G SCHREYER" in script. Not only did George Schroyer spell his name different ways on gun bbls (Scheyer, Schreyer, Schryer, Schroyer, Shyer and Schroyer), but the script is often illegible. The four piece brass patchbox is engraved with one piercing in the finial. The finial ends in a 3-petal flower, sometimes used in Schroyer's designs. The fleur-de-lis floral carving, considered almost a "signature" of G. Schroyer rifles normally found behind the bbll tang or rear ramrod ferrule, are not present on this rifle. The relief carving forward and rear of the cheekpiece are very similar to rifle no. 165 in Kindig's Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle in its Golden Age. As is characteristic of Shroyer guns, this piece has a very high, well defined comb with the wrist running down toward the butt and there is a little carving on both sides of the stock accentuating the high comb. The stock is curly maple and the cheekpiece inlay is a silver engraved 8-pointed star. Heavy, beveled, brass sideplate is characteristic of some Schroyer rifles. The rifle is unusual in that it has double set triggers. George Schroyer moved to Hanover about the beginning of the Revolutionary War. He is found in the 1783 Hanover tax records. Records dated 1793 identify Schroyer as a gunsmith and he is listed as a gunsmith in Hanover as late as 1813. George Schroyer made beautiful Kentucky rifles, before, during and right after the Revolutionary War. Architecturally, his guns are quite superior. PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. Douglas Sirkin. CONDITION: Fine. Stock has orig patina and finish. Lock is a contemporary replacement. Bbl has been cut about 2". There's evidence of a break in the stock having been repaired about 22-1/2" back from the muzzle. The toe plate is a replacement and there is wood replaced in front of the trigger guard where the ramrod had worn through. The relief-carving is all fine and crisp and the orig finish is very pleasing. 4-50062 RG13

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INCISE CARVED FLINTLOCK RIFLE ATTRIBUTED TO YORK COUNTY GUNSMITH GEORGE BRENISE.

Lot # 1487 (Sale Order: 485 of 563)      

Cal. 50 rifled. 40-3/4" oct bbl, George Brenise was a gun maker in York County whose work is uncommon. This rifle has remnants of his signature at the very breech end of the bbl. The signature is cut off because the bbl and stock were shortened. The curly maple stock, does have a pleasing, mellow color and is very nicely incised carved along the cheekpiece side and also has wrist-checkering. There is incised carving around the rear ramrod pipe and the forestock has a very fine molding. The engraved patchbox is similar to those seen on his few other remaining signed rifles. PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. Douglas Sirkin. CONDITION: The flintlock is a replacement lock. The wood surrounding the entire lock is a thick veneer set in to accommodate the new lock. There is a break through the wrist which is held together with screws covered over by putty. A re-glued age crack is on the right side of forearm. 4-49767 SDH24

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RELIEF AND INCISE CARVED UNSIGNED RIFLE ATTRIBUTED TO THE CARLISLE, PA GUNSMITH HENRY LECHLER.

Lot # 1488 (Sale Order: 486 of 563)      

NSN. 50 cal. 56-1/2" overall. 4-1/4" high x 1-1/4" wide. Bbl is 41-1/4" full oct unsigned rifled bbl. The carving and sideplate of this gun are nearly identical to the signed Lechler Number 220 p 475 of Kindig's book. There is attractive relief carving behind the bbl tang. The four piece brass patchbox is engraved with a daisy head finnial. Henry Lechler worked in various parts of Pennsylvania having learned the trade in Lancaster before going into business in Carlisle, PA in 1797. His work shows a close association with Frederick Sell. PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. Douglas Sirkin. CONDITION: Generally very good. A few splinter repairs along the forend at the bbl and a small period wood replacement at the bbl tang. There is some typical minor wood repair around the sideplate. Lock is a proper reconversion. 4-50082

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IMPORTANT 18TH CENTURY GUN ATTRIBUTED TO GEORGE FREDERICK FAINOT.

Lot # 1489 (Sale Order: 487 of 563)      

NSN. 54" oct to rnd .60 Cal smooth unmarked bbl. Bbl is held to stock by 4 bbl wedges. Brass 2-pc engraved patchbox with it's bottom opening door is characteristic of Fainot's rifles. Patchbox door is engraved with a flower like design and has a rotating catch at the top to release the door. Sideplates on this patchbox are characteristic Fainot style but the finial is not Fainot's customary daisy like five-petal floral motif. Fainot's patchbox designs bear little resemblance to classic Lancaster rifles. Curly maple stock has deep and artistically executed carving behind bbl tang with relief carved beaver tails behind the lock and sideplate mortices. Trigger guard is the fowler-musket type and the sideplate shows strong European influence. Ramrod pipes are short and round with heavy molded ends. Gun has a very nice early hand-forged German lock. Fainot worked as a gunsmith in the borough of Lancaster from 1770-1803. The majority of his surviving guns are not signed. George Fainot was born in 1728 in France and immigrated to Canada in 1752. After spending some time in New York, he relocated to Lancaster in 1770 where he ran his gunshop until approximately 1783. In 1779, Fainot was one of 16 local gunsmiths paid by the Continental Congress for gunsmithing work. He was also a supplier of arms to the Continental Army after the Revolutionary War. The architecture of Fainot's work is clearly in the Lancaster style, but he chose to retain the influence gained from past experiences so that his work does not "fit the mold" of the Lancaster school. Fainot's existing works are rarely encountered today. PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. Douglas Sirkin. CONDITION: 19" of forend is replaced. 4-1/4" x 1/4" wood replacement along bbl above rear ramrod entrance pipe. Lock has been reconverted. There are a number of age cracks on cheekpiece side at buttplate. 4-49785 RG119

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EMITTSBURG SCHOOL RELIEF CARVED RIFLE ATTRIBUTED TO JACOB METZGER.

Lot # 1490 (Sale Order: 488 of 563)      

NSN. 41-5/8" full oct 50 Cal. smooth bbl. This bbl is unsigned but this cataloger believes the gun is the work of Jacob Metzger. Bbl is held to the stock by four bbl wedges and the stock is curly maple. Rifle has a four piece engraved brass patchbox. Butt side of the stock is deeply relief carved in C scrolls to the rear of the cheekpiece and incised carved forward of the cheekpiece and forward of the patchbox. There is an eight-pointed silver star inlay above the cheekpiece and an oval silver inlay to the rear of the bbl tang. Very nice relief carving around the bbl tang and incised carved on both sides of the rear ramrod entrance pipe. Flat brass sideplate is characteristic of Metzger's work. Jacob Metzger is listed as a gunsmith in the borough of Lancaster in 1777. Sometime around 1788 he moved to Frederick, MD where he was associated with Jacob Groff. The way the carving extends out from the rear of the cheekpiece, and from the forward edge of the cheekpiece, appears to be characteristic of Metzger's work. Metzger was a gunsmith who constantly changed his style from gun to gun. All of his patchboxes appear to be different in design. PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. Douglas Sirkin. CONDITION: Lock has been reconverted. Rear bbl wedge is missing. Two minor cracks on the forestock. 4-50121 RG46

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RELIEF CARVED CURLY MAPLE KENTUCKY RIFLE ATTRIBUTED TO WOLFGANG HAGA.

Lot # 1491 (Sale Order: 489 of 563)      

NSN. This is a very interesting early rifle with a 44" full oct unsigned 58 Cal. Smooth bbl held to the stock with four bbl wedges. Rifle has a very nice curly maple stock striped throughout with a four piece unengraved reading area patchbox. Heavy relief carving forward and rear of the cheekpiece is very similar to the flower style carving on rifle number 75 attributed to Haga in Kindig's Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle in its Golden Age and is very deep and original. Sideplate on this rifle is heavy beveled brass suggesting it is earlier than Kindig's rifle number 75. Panels around the sideplate and lock are nicely relief carved. Rifle has no carving on the wrist forward of the patchbox. The rifle is relief carved around the bbl tang and around the rear ramrod entrance pipe. 4" toe plate has an attractive finial and the unmarked flint lock appears to be original. PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. Douglas Sirkin. CONDITION: Rifle is in very nice orig condition throughout with exception of 18" of forend and 15" of bbl having been professionally replaced. Finish all appears to be original. Ramrod is old, but may not be orig to the gun. A small chip of wood is missing at the tail of the lock. 4-50067 RG33

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RELIEF CARVED CURLY MAPLE FLINTLOCK RIFLE ATTRIBUTED TO READING GUNSMITH WOLFGANG HAGA.

Lot # 1492 (Sale Order: 490 of 563)      

NSN. 43-1/4" full oct unsigned .530 bore bbl with 5 shallow square rifling grooves, held to stock with 4 bbl wedges. Overall 59", butt is 4-3/8" x 2". Bbl is signed "IG" in a small square die stamp at same place on bbl as John Bonewitz signed his rifles "IB" and Andrew Figthorn signed his "AF". This may be a mark of an unknown maker from this school or the man who made bbl. Nicely figured curly maple stock is relief carved to rear and forward of cheekpiece, around bbl tang and around rear ramrod entrance pipe. 4-pc Reading style patchbox is not engraved and heavy brass beveled sideplate is recessed at front screw, characteristic of Reading area rifles. Toeplate design is indicative of Haga's style with its similarity to patchbox head. Relief carving on butt is very similar to that of rifle no.75 on p. 202 Kindig's Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle in it's Golden Age which he attributed to Haga, but this rifle appears to be of earlier manufacture. Hand forged lock is unsigned. Of the four orig masters of Womeldsdorf-Reading School (Bonewitz, Reedy, Figthorn and Haga) all can be identified by existing signed examples with the exception of Haga. For this reason early guns of this school that cannot be identified by maker are generally attributed to Haga. Haga is listed as a gunsmith in Reading tax records beginning in 1767 and his will was probated in 1796 at which time he was referred to as a gunsmith. This gun is pictured on p. 40 of The Kentucky Rifle, a True American Herritage published by the Kentucky Rifle Association while it was in the Alfred Clegg Collection. PROVENANCE: Former collection of Ron Gable. Former collection of Alfred Clegg. Collection of Dr. Douglas Sirkin. CONDITION: Stock and finish are in fine orig condition throughout. Shrinkage and stress cracks under patchbox, and one on right hand side through third bbl wedge, none of which detract from the quality or appearance of this rifle. 4-50031 RG9

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RELIEF CARVED FLINTLOCK KENTUCKY SMOOTH RIFLE ATTRIBUTED TO READING MAKER WOLFGANG HAGA.

Lot # 1493 (Sale Order: 491 of 563)      

NSN. 58 cal. 64" overall. 4-1/2" x 1-5/8" buttplate. 48-1/2" oct to rnd smooth bore unsigned bbl. This gun has relief carving on the cheekpiece side of the butt, which is identical to gun #75 attributed to Wolfgang Haga in Kindig's Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle in its Golden Age. The brass patchbox is 2-pc with no engraving. There is heavy relief beaver tail carving to the rear of the bbl tang and simple carving to the rear of the ramrod entrance pipe. The gun has an unmarked hand forged German lock. The trigger guard, toe plate and heavy beveled side plate are typical of Reading School guns. PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. Douglas Sirkin. CONDITION: Fine. The gun is clean and solid throughout. Lock may be a reconversion. There is 2" of wood broken out under the tail of the lock which appears to have been broken out in period with and old, hand forged nail supporting the lock at that site. This old injury should not detract from the value of the gun. 4-50017 RG24

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RELIEF AND INCISED CARVED FLINTLOCK READING AREA KENTUCKY RIFLE.

Lot # 1494 (Sale Order: 492 of 563)      

Cal. 52. Overall length 57-1/4", 4" x 1-5/8" buttplate. 42-1/2" full oct smooth bore unmarked bbl. Curly maple stock is nicely relief carved behind bbl tang and incised carved forward and rear of cheekpiece, with Mauger style carving. Beavertail relief carving behind the rear ramrod pipe. 4-pc brass patchbox is engraved. Hand forged German flintlock is unmarked. PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. Douglas Sirkin. CONDITION: Very good. Piece of wood replaced above the front of the lock, some wood replaced between the lock and the bbl tang, which does not include the carving. Brass sideplate is a replacement. Stock is cracked from the lock to the sideplate at the trigger guard. 4-49987 RG18

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EXTREMELY EARLY PRE-REVOLUTION WAR PERIOD GERMANIC STYLE AMERICAN MADE FOWLER.

Lot # 1495 (Sale Order: 493 of 563)      

NSN. Cal. 60 smooth bore. 47-1/2" Bbl transitions from oct at breech with wedding band to rnd toward muzzle, and is unmarked. Hand-forged unmarked German style lock. Fine American walnut stock extends to within 1-1/2" of muzzle, is pinned to bbl and has sheet brass wrap 1-1/2" back from tip. There is a plain rebated molding along ramrod channel ending in incised foliate finial behind ramrod entrance ferrule. There is a similar incised carved design treatment forward of the front trigger guard flange. There are American style beavertails behind the lockplate mortises. Raised carved sprays of scrolled acanthus behind bbl tang as well as behind cheekpiece. There are staples for vent pick under cheekpiece. An incised line runs along sides of flat toe line. The buttplate trigger guard and sideplate are heavily engraved and of European style. New hickory ramrod. The cheekpiece is very heavy and pronounced, again in the European Germanic style. This gun has American wood, an American lock, no European proof marks and is most likely a Revolutionary War period American piece. PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. Douglas Sirkin. CONDITION: Good. Bbl and lock are dark brown patina. Stock is smooth with fine hand wear. New pieces have been let in along bbl channel, mostly on right side. Some new wood has been let in around lockplate. A crack from rear lock screw above sideplate has been repaired using a hand forged nail. Furniture is a mottled light mustard color which is correct for the period. 4-49909 MGM281

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BEAUTIFUL HIGHLY DECORATED PERCUSSION CURLY MAPLE RIFLE WITH 25 SILVER INLAYS.

Lot # 1496 (Sale Order: 494 of 563)      

Additional Information (3/6/15): We have been contacted by knowledgeable scholars on Bedford & Somerset Co. long rifles, who have presented evidence that this rifle is attributed to Peter Dormayer (Dunmeyer). A detailed article related to Dormayer characteristics will be included. NSN. 41" full oct 41 Cal. rifled unmarked bbl. Overall 56", butt is 4-1/8" x 1-1/4". Beautifully figured curly maple stock with incised carving to rear of cheekpiece. Cheekpiece is decorated with a 3" oval silver inlay engraved with American eagle and two silver engraved key shaped inlays under cheekpiece. 4-pc brass patchbox has 8 piercings and is not engraved. 25 silver inlays are nicely engraved and tastefully used. Late percussion lock made by Joseph Golcher. One large silver inlay nicely encircles the bbl tang. Brass engraved sideplate is held in place by one lock screw and two brass nails. Suggestive of guns made in Somerset/Huntington areas of PA. Double set triggers. A great example of a highly decorated and carved rifle. PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. Douglas Sirkin. CONDITION: Very nice, highly decorated, well done Kentucky rifle. Small crack in stock between trigger and lock, probably result of broken main spring; no wood has been replaced. 2 screws missing from lower plate of patchbox and 4 tacks added to bottom plate to keep it in place. Brass 4-7/8" toeplate has been incorrectly replaced. Percussion lock is pitted so Golcher's name is illegible. Small piece of wood missing above front of lock. None of the problems with this rifle are beyond repair and could be nicely handled by a competent conservator. 4-50088 RG17

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RELIEF AND INCISED CARVED KENTUCKY RIFLE ATTRIBUTED TO LITITZ, PA GUNSMITH ANDREAS ALBRECHT.

Lot # 1497 (Sale Order: 495 of 563)      

NSN. 45" full oct unsigned 52 Cal. smooth bbl held to stock by 4 bbl wedges. Overall 60-3/8", butt is 5" x 1-7/8". 4-piece engraved brass patchbox. Maple stock shows very little curl and is relief carved behind cheekpiece and around bbl tang. Carving behind cheekpiece is nearly identical to that found on one of the only signed Andreas Albrecht rifles. Heavy beveled brass sideplate is characteristic of Lititz area. Andreas Albrecht was born in 1718 in central Germany. He sailed to America from London in 1749 and traveled to the Moravian town of Bethlehem in eastern PA that same year where he took over the Christians Springs Gunshop from 1752 to 1766. In 1770-71 Albrecht left Bethlehem for the Moravian town of Lititz to resume his gunmaking trade on a full time basis where he continued to work as a gunsmith until his death in 1802. PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. Douglas Sirkin. CONDITION: Overall very solid orig condition with sharp and distinct relief carving. 13" from muzzle of forend wood has been replaced. Lock may be a reconversion. 4-49941 RG8

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EARLY BUCKS COUNTY INCISED CARVED FLINTLOCK RIFLE.

Lot # 1498 (Sale Order: 496 of 563)      

Cal. 68. Overall length 56", 4-1/2" x 1-3/4" buttplate. 41" full oct smooth unmarked bbl. This rifle has Bucks County incised carving behind cheekpiece and a 2-pc brass patchbox which appears to have been recently engraved with Schuler type engraving on the door. This is a heavy rifle with a hand forged German lock and Bucks County incised carved fleur-de-lis behind the lock and side plate mortise and where the comb meets the wrist. The incised carving around the bbl tang is also of the Buck County style. There is a large silver inlay on the top of the wrist. Rear ramrod entrance ferrule has a 5" long tang, a characteristic of Buck County rifles. PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. Douglas Sirkin. CONDITION: Gun has undergone in service renovations including replacement of lock, sideplate, and triggerplate. About 5" of forend wood has been replaced at the muzzle along with old repaired forestock cracks along bbl. the patchbox may have been added in period. 4-50128

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OUTSTANDING BEDFORD COUNTY PERCUSSION RELIEF CARVED JOHN AMOS RIFLE.

Lot # 1499 (Sale Order: 497 of 563)      

NSN. 42-3/4" full oct unsigned 44 Cal. rifled bbl. Characteristic Bedford County four piece engraved patchbox with its five piercings is characteristic of John Amos' work. Rifle is deeply relief carved forward and rear of the cheekpiece in the traditional Bedford style. Silver football shaped inlay on the cheek is nicely engraved but not with the American eagle often used. Engraving on the brass sideplate is consistent with the engraving on the patchbox door and the sideplate is held to the stock by a wood screw at the front indicating this rifle was always percussion. Teardrop extensions in the carving to the rear of the sideplate and lock panels each are enhanced by silver oval inlays. A relief feather design extending 3" forward of the lock and sideplate panels is attractively done. Stock is very attractive curly maple with bold striping throughout. Rifle has double set triggers. John Amos worked in Bedford from 1849 to 1867 and was the partner of Daniel Border. Lock is signed with two initials which are very difficult to make out but appear to be "J.A.". PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. Douglas Sirkin. CONDITION: Wood sliver replaced on the left hand side near muzzle and another very small repaired sliver near nose cap. Both very professional. Rifle is in very nice condition. A very nice solid Bedford Rifle. 4-50098 RG56

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INCISED CARVED LEBANON SCHOOL SIGNED GOLDEN AGE N. BEYER RIFLE.

Lot # 1500 (Sale Order: 498 of 563)      

NSN. 42-1/2" full oct 52 Cal. rifled bbl signed "N. Beyer". Four piece engraved brass patchbox with a finial identical to Number 93 in Kindig's Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle in its Golden Age. Kindig refers to this as an unusual and very charming patchbox head, an interesting bird with somewhat of a Pennsylvania Dutch feeling. He notes he has seen this head on only a few of N. Beyer's rifles. Rifle is incised carved forward of the cheekpiece and extending over the wrist to the patchbox side. Incise carved panels run on each side from the lock and sideplate mortises to the nosecap, broken only at the rear ramrod entrance ferrule. Gun has a 5-1/4" engraved brass toeplate behind a football shaped brass inlay. Nicholas Beyer was a very prolific gunsmith. Many Beyer rifles have survived and many have different features. Beyer is listed as a gunsmith in Dauphin County in 1807 and 1810 and he generally signed his guns in script on the bbl. CONDITION: There is evidence of some minor wood repair in the area of the trigger guard suggesting the stock had been broken and expertly repaired. 18" of the forend from the nosecap shows signs of professional restoration. This is a classic Golden Age rifle that has seen a lot of use. 8-87716 RG61

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BEDFORD COUNTY JACOB STOUDENOUR PERCUSSION RELIEF CARVED KENTUCKY RIFLE.

Lot # 1501 (Sale Order: 499 of 563)      

NSN. 38" full oct 52 Cal. unmarked smooth bbl. Typical Stoudenour characteristic four piece brass engraved patchbox with five piercings identical to the rifle pictured in Plate 131 of Calvin Hetrick's The Bedford County Rifle and its Makers. Nicely relief carved to front and rear of the cheekpiece identical to the rifle pictured in Plate 131 in Hetrick's book. Cheekpiece features a large 3" oval silver inlay engraved with the American eagle. Long hand-forged characteristic Bedford County lock plate is signed "J.S." and the brass elongated engraved sideplate is also typical of the Bedford School. Stock is beautiful curly maple throughout and the bbl is held to the stock by three bbl wedges. Engraved brass toeplate is 5-3/4" long and held to the stock with four screws. This gun has three silver inlays along with one brass inlay on the comb forward of the buttplate. Jacob Stoudenour is listed from 1795-1863 and worked in Colerain Township, Bedford County in the flintlock and percussion period. His rifles were normally signed "J.S.". Stoudenour was the most prolific maker of rifles in Bedford County and is generally considered one of the finer of the Bedford County makers. He excelled in the exquisite grace of his hammers and the slender lines of his stocks. This rifle was illustrated in Kentucky Rifles and Pistols 1750-1850 published by the Kentucky Rifle Association and was exhibited at the York County Pennsylvania Historical Society exhibit in 1971. PROVENANCE: See Kentucky Rifles and Pistols 1750-1850, 1976, by KRA, pp. 34-35. Al Sullivan Sr., William S. Bowers, and Ray McKnight Collections. Collection of Dr. Douglas Sirkin. CONDITION: Rifle has been shortened 3-1/2 to 4" from the rear as evidenced by the middle ramrod pipe having been moved back about that distance. Small piece of wood added forward of the lock. Otherwise this rifle appears to be in fine original condition. 4-49824 RG55

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EXCELLENT AND ATTRACTIVE FLINTLOCK INCISE CARVED LANCASTER SCHOOL CURLY MAPLE RIFLE.

Lot # 1503 (Sale Order: 500 of 563)      

Cal. 46. 57" overall. 4-1/2" x 1-3/4" buttplate. 42" long full oct unmarked bbl. Flintlock is engraved, signed "JOSEPH GOLCHER" and appears to be orig flint. The brass toeplate and sideplate are engraved. The stock is attractive curly maple and is deeply incised carved with C-scrolls behind the cheekpiece. The wrist is checkered and the bbl is held to the stock by four bbl wedges. The 4-pc engraved patchbox has one piercing in the finial. Much of the orig finish remains on this fine rifle. There is a silver heart-shaped inlay behind the pointed bbl tang. This is a nice clean example of a Lancaster style gun. CONDITION: This rifle is in very nice condition throughout with only a few stress cracks in the forend. The ramrod is missing. 4-54000

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