GUN FALL 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/31/2017
RARE 1816 DATED 1803 HARPERS FERRY FLINTLOCK RIFLE. HARPERS FERRY 1803 NSN 54 Cal. 54. seven groove rifling, 33" half-rnd/half-oct bbl having a V-notch rear sight mounted 8-1/2" forward of the breech and a brass sight mounted 1-1/2" from the muzzle. The left top breech is stamped with a raised "US" and an eagle head over "P" in sunken ovals. The iron rib holds a brass ramrod pipe at the stock, with a middle iron pipe, a forward one also of iron that is slightly flared and retains the orig iron ramrod. The trigger guard, forend stock band, sideplate, buttplate and patchbox are brass having the proper latch device on the patch box operated from an iron button located behind the top brass butt plate screw. The lock plate is marked with an eagle facing the cock with a clear "US" within the shield on the eagle's breast. Behind the cock in 3-lines is "HARPERS/FERRY/1816" reading vertically. Inside the lock are the initials "V/GM" and a numeral "3". The orig black walnut stock is nicely marked with the script "JS" (James Stubblefield) and "AT" at tail of wood opposite the lock. Behind the trigger guard is "CL". PROVENANCE: William Gerber Collection, Memphis, TN; Robert Howard Estate Collection, 1991. CONDITION: The metal is in very good original condition having been once lightly cleaned with the iron parts having a nice aged color but not a dark patina. The rifling is excellent. The stock is in very good condition, having been refinished with a coat of varnish, probably when some wood restoration around the butt plate tang was done. There is a 2" x 1" area in front of the toe of the butt stock that has been replaced and a 1/2" x 1" area in front and around of the butt plate tang that has also been replaced. The brass furniture is very nice and again showing its age but not dark. There is a 2" stress crack along the side plate area that originates near the breech of the bbl and runs through the rear lock screw terminating just above the trigger pin. 52304-5 PAS5 (10,000-12,000)