June 25-28, 2018 Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/25/2018
Peter White worked in Bedford, Pennsylvania in his early days before moving to Uniontown, Pennsylvania around the time of the War of 1812. He died in 1824 and is buried in the Presbyterian Cemetery in Uniontown. His work is scarce but he was a very fine gunsmith, carver, and engraver, as Joe Kindig, Jr. states in "Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle in its Golden Age". For a similar rifle to this example, see No. 257 on page 590 of the Third Annotated Edition. This fine rifle features a rifled, fully octagonal steel barrel with a partially visible signature on the top flat of "Peter White", who was known to lightly engrave his signature. Brass front sight and notched rear sight. The rifle has a unmarked flat lockplate with a roller frizzen. The barrel is retained by four well-made brass keys. Brass four-piece patchbox with seven piercings and engraved with fine borders, shaded areas, and the lid with a well-executed edelweiss. Engraved brass sideplate and plain trigger guard, nose cap, and ramrod ferrules. Oval inlay above cheekpiece features an engraved eye and has a tooled border, silver wrist escutcheon inscribed with initials "WG". Full-length highly figured maple stock features a relief carved fern around the barrel tang, relief carved panels around the lock sideplate, and comb, and a feather on the left side of the wrist. Left side of buttstock is masterfully carved with incised scrolls and feathers. Very good condition, overall. Barrel retains a grey patina with some edge wear and scattered areas of pitting, signature partially visible. Lock functions well and retains an even grey patina, may be a good professional reconversion. Brass retains an even and mellow patina, engraving shows little to no wear. Stock is very good with no forend restoration, a few minor marks from use and minor age cracks due to grain. This is beautiful rifle with excellent form, striping, engraving, and carving. Signed rifles by this maker and of this quality are very scarce!