October 22-23, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/22/2019
This rifle is signed "Peter Moll Hellerstown No. 140" on its full octagon barrel. Peter Moll, son of John Moll II, was born October 13th, 1799 in Allentown, Pennsylvania and was baptized November 17th, 1799. Peter was assigned to active duty August 18th, 1814. He was assigned to his uncle's company of riflemen stationed at Camp Dumont. Private Peter Moll survived the war and married Mary Shafer in the 1830's. The earliest known dated Peter Moll rifle is 1826. It is believed Peter moved to Hellertown, Pennsylvania about 1820 after his brother John Moll III bought his father's business in Allentown. In 1820 Hellertown contained 13 houses, 18 families, three taverns, two stores, on grist mill, and 73 inhabitants. Peter Moll died June 8th, 1879. The front sight and the rear sight block are brass and a set of double lines is in front and behind both sights. The barrel is stamped "I CHRIST" on the left side near the breech. Christ was a barrel maker located in Berks County, Pennsylvania. The flat lockplate is engraved with sprigs of decoration and stamped "JOHN / WALKER / BIRMINGHAM" in the center. It also features a roller frizzen. The brass furniture includes the classic Moll style two piece patchbox with simple borders engraved around the edges. Lehigh County brass trigger guard and trigger also of brass. Sideplate terminating in an arrow at the back. Nose cap open-ended with wood exposed at muzzle. Full length maple stock of classic Lehigh County form with stepped wrist and relief carved cheekpiece on left side of butt. The rifle features hand-painted faux striping. Complete with period, probably original ramrod. CONDITION: Very good overall. Barrel retains a light grey patina. Signature on barrel is crisp. The lock retains a brown patina and is in its original flintlock configuration. Brass retains a mellowing patina. Stock shows some chipping and minor losses to finish, and a few scattered storage marks. There are a couple minor chips around the tang and a 3" stemming from the front of the lockplate tang into the forend. A very nice Lehigh County rifle in wonderful condition. DMG
Caliber/Bore
.45 Smoothbore
Paperwork
Prev description, display plaque