April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/24/2019
This unusual rifle has a combination of features from different counties in Pennsylvania. The barrel and most of the hardware are clearly Nicholas Beyer, buttplate is Lehigh County in style, and the carving is typical of Simon Miller of Berks County, Pennsylvania. The original Nicholas Beyer rifle was probably restocked by Simon Miller during the period of use. The rifle has a two stage smoothbore barrel with sights mounted on top. Top flat signed "N BEYER" in script. The flat lockplate has a rounded tail section and the maker is no longer visible. The brass furniture includes a four piece pierced and engraved patchbox with a pelican in her piety as the finial. The engraved buttplate tang extension is an arrow pointing towards the muzzle and is clearly engraved by Beyer. Toeplate features an engraved tulip and forward of that an inlaid teardrop. The beveled sideplate and trigger guard are also Nicholas Beyer. The sleeved buttplate tang denotes probable Lehigh County manufacture. A small silver heart with engraved border adorns each side of the wrist while a small silver oval inlaid and engraved en suite is on each side forward the lock. The silver wrist escutcheon is inscribed "GR". Above the cheek piece is an inlaid folky bird of silver and engraved with designs; a circular brass wire inlay surrounds it. The full length figured maple stock shows Berks County, Pennsylvania influence and is carved with incised designs on the left side, typical of those done by Simon Miller. CONDITION: Barrel retains a dark patina and shows some edge wear and wear to signature. Lock has been reconverted to flint and retains a dark applied finish, mechanism needs some adjustment. Hardware retains a yellowed patina due to an old coat of lacquer. Stock is good with some scattered marks from use and some minor chipping around lock. Carving is crisp. A very attractive rifle with a nice look.
Caliber/Bore
.60 Smoothbore
Manufacturer
Nicholas Beyer