March 1-2, 2018 Firearms, Militaria & Sporting
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/1/2018
Peter Gonter was a Moravian and lived between 1751 and 1818. His will indicates that he was working until his death, as he left rifles and unfinished parts in stock to his wife. Peter Gonter worked in Lancaster City, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. This example features a rifled octagonal barrel, stamped "P. GONTER" on top flat in block lettering. Flat flint lockplate marked "DREPPERT" in center. Engraved brass furniture includes a four-piece patchbox with rocker-panel engraving on side straps and a Christmas tree engraved on the finial. Inlaid oval wrist escutcheon and inlay above cheekpiece have engraved borders. Cheekpiece features a molded brass cap. Engraved sideplate has been professionally replaced. Full length figured maple stock of familiar Lancaster County form, features fine deeply-carved scrolls behind cheekpiece on left side of butt, a diamond-section checkered wrist, and relief molding along forend terminating in spiraling incised foliate scrolls. Barrel retained by three brass keys. Barrel retains a dark brown spotted patina. Lock has been professionally reconverted and retains a dark patina with some freckling. Brass retains a mellow patina. Stock retains much of old finish, some professional restoration around lockplate and a some small age cracks and marks elsewhere. Small repair behind carving, some wear to checkering, and small chip replaced at toe. This is a very attractive and well-carved Lancaster rifle by a famous gunsmith!