GUN FALL 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/4/2016
EXTREMELY RARE PORTLAND MAINE, JOHN HALL BREECH LOADING FLINTLOCK RIFLE WITH CONNECTION TO WAR OF 1812.JOHN HALLFLINTLOCK RIFLE8038Cal. 38. The 1800s represent a time of transition and innovation in the craft of gunsmithing, as it evolved from craft toward industry, and from handwork to mechanization and mass-production. Maine was at the forefront of this dramatic change through the work of John Hall, a Portland cooper turned gunsmith. In 1811, Hall set off a revolution with his invention of a breech-loading mechanism and system of mass-production. This classic John Hall rifle is one of few known made between 1811 and 1816 and appears much like his Hall model 1817 military rifle including patchbox other than smaller cal. and tiger maple stock. Breechblock marked "JOHN H HALL /PATENT". Breechblock is also marked with initials "R.B." (Robert Blanchard, Biddeford, ME) with a partially discernible SN "80". The fully oct bbl measures 29-3/8" with 8 lands and grooves with the well known offset sights later seen on the military rifles. Gun is totally brass mounted with exception of long oval sideplate opposite patchbox engraved "Orlando Edes". An internet search for Orlando Edes finds an interesting genealogy website that reads "long live Benjamin Edes,founder of the Boston Tea Party, relative of my ancestor Captain Orlando Edes-War of 1812". Benjamin Edes (Oct.14,1732 – Dec.11,1803) was a journalist and political agitator. He is best known, along with John Gill, as the publisher of the Boston Gazette, a newspaper which sparked and financed the Boston Tea Party and was influential during the American Revolutionary War. CONDITION: Very good overall. Metal is overall brown/gray with staining and pitting. Brass mounts have a green/mustard patina. Brass extension behind the breech is gold plated. There are several repairs to wood and small insets around large break repair just behind rear sight. Gun appears for the most part orig with minor restorations including ramrod. There is an old welded repair to hammer at its base. Mechanically sound with crisp well-defined deep rifling in bore. 51024-1 JS (15,000-25,000)