KENTUCKY RIFLES FOR SALE ON CONSIGNMENT

ON HOLD Signed "D Boyer" Daniel Boyer, Orwigsburg, Schuykill County, Pennsylvania ca 1830

Daniel Boyer was a rather prolific maker signing alot of his work. His style is that of Berks County as he probably trained there and kept the regional style after moving to Orwigsburg. This swivel breech rifle is similar to one in the Metropolitan Museum collection having the same patchbox, architecture, and inlays. This example is signed in script on both barrels whereas the Met example has only one signed barrel and it is stamped in block leters. The surface on this example is very desirable.

The barrels are 39.25 inches. Both are rifled and about .38 cal. The lock is a reconversion of very good quality. The patchbox lid has been restored as well as some of the forestock. The restoration work is excellent and accurate giving little visual evidence. The swivel mechanism is tight and works smoothly. Flintlock swivel rifles are very desirable and this example, though restored, is very presentable and price accordingly making it affordable.

ON HOLD Available at $13,450.00

Signed "H Carlile" Henry Carlile, Shippensburg, Pennsylvania ca 1825

Henry Carlile worked in Shippensburg Pennsylvania and was taxed as a gunsmith from 1818 to 1847. This example is well decorated and has strong characteristics of the Cumberland Valley school. Another example of this school is by Shillito for sale on this website. The rifled barrel is 42" and about .45 cal and about 3" was cut in the 1830's when converted to percussion; it is now back to its original length. The curly maple is very nice and the surface is original and desireable. About 6" of the forestock was replaced to accomodate the 42" barrel. The fore end cap and first ramrod pipe are restored. The English lock has been expertly reconverted and is likely the original lock. A piece of wood has been restored in front of the lock.

The engraving skills of all these Cumberland Valley gunsiths is noteworthy and this example is as fine as any. The engraved eagle on the cheekpiece is masterful as is the patchbox engraving. Though restored this rifle has wonderful curly maple, great artistic details, is signed and is a bit more rare than his contemporaries in the region.

Available at $3,980.00

SOLD Signed "G * A", Gideon Angstat, Kutztown, Pennsylvania ca 1840

There are three signed examples of Gideon's work known. This example, one owned by an individual who brought it to Kempton last year and again this year, and one in the Kindig collection. All three are signed "G * A"; this is the best of the three. Other examples of his work can be attributed based on the signed ones. The architecture, patchbox, carving, and sideplates are in the Angstat tradition; there is little doubt this is by Gideon. He worked in Kutztown then moved to Lewisburg. He was the son of Joseph and the grandson of Adam.

There is no restoration on this rifle with the exception of the middle ramrod pipe. The stock has been cleaned and a finish has been added; much patina remains underneath. The original length rifled barrel is 41 inches and about .50 cal; a hefty bore for the 1840's. Silver iinlays are on one side of the fore stock, the heads of the barrel wedges are on the other. With a little effort the surface could attain a better appearance; the curly maple is about average. Angstat rifles are quite appealing and this is the best signed example of Gideon's work; a rarity.

SOLD 8/26

SOLD Signed J Doll, Jacob Doll, York, Pennsylvania ca 1820

Jacob Doll worked in York, Pennsylvania and worked as a civilian gunsmith as well as fulfilling government conracts for military guns. This example has typical York carving and engraved patchbox. The 42.5" smoothbore barrel is about .58 cal and is signed in script "J Doll". The lock is a reconversion and is original to the rifle. The plain maple stock has checkering at the wrist.

There is wood replacement nearest the fore end cap and a repaired crack on the fore arm. The rifle has a consistaent surface quality and finish.

SOLD 8/26

Signed "H E Leman" Henry Leman, Lancaster, Pennsylvania ca 1830

This example of Henry Leman's work is extremely rare. He made it soon after or during his apprenticeship with Melchoir Fordney in his teenage years. He was born in 1812. Most of his production was government contracts for trade rifles. They were much different than this civilian example. This example closely resembles Melchoir Fordney's work is it should; however Leman's Lancaster style Kentucky rifles are almost non-existant; this being the only specimen I've seen.

Joe Kindig Jr. had collected this rifle and kept it in the shop with numerous other rifles; it was not in the main collection. The rifled barrel is 42.25 inches and about .44 cal; it was never shortened. The lock is reconverted and probably the original lock. A narrow sliver the entire length of the forestock on one side has been expertly restored. A barrel wedge is missing. It appears the rifle was made with a single trigger; set triggers were added later during its period of use. The trigger guard has been altered to accomodate the change.

Available at $4,950.00

PRICE REDUCED Signed "S M Shillito" Chambersburg, Franklin County, Pennsylvania ca 1840

Sam Shillito was born in Franklin County in 1793 and died there in 1852. He made highly decorated rifles as well as plain rifles. This example is above average in decoration. Shillito Sr. was an excellent engraver; his craft is seen on the patchbox, toeplate and inlays. The forestock inlays are decorative and do not act as escucheons.

There is no wood replacement but a long sliver of wood is missing along the fore arm. A brass plate has been added above the lock to protect the wood from the burning action of the percussion caps. The 38.5" rifled barrel is about .40 cal. The percussion lock is original to the rifle and is by Henry Parker. Gunsmiths in the Winchester, Virginia area used silver inlays interspersed in the butt stock carving as well as silver acorn inlays. This style occurs on this example. The silver star inlay on the cheekpiece is engraved similarly to those on the Sheetz rifles of an earlier period in Shepherdstown. The curly maple is of excellent quality and is evident under an old undisturbed finish.

Available at $2,950.00 PRICE REDUCED TO $2,400.00

Signed J Young, Joe Young, Wetzel County, West Virginia ca 1880

Joe Young was a late rifle maker who worked in Wetzel County, West Virginia from 1877 until his death in 1918. He made some full stock rifles and many half stock rifles; some quite nicely decorated. This is one of his better examples with german silver inlays.

Available at $2,200.00