October 30, 2019 The Collection of Steve & Marcy Hench
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/30/2019
For a similar example with the same patchbox and from the same period, see rifle No. 29 on page 48 in the book "The Lancaster Long Rifle" by Patrick Hornberger and John Kolar. This rifle appears to be one of Beyer's later rifles. It features a full length octagonal barrel inscribed "N + BEYER" in a large font. The flat lockplate has a rounded tail and a roller frizzen, stamped "WARRANTED" in center. The frizzen was relined with a heavy piece of iron during its period of use. Brass furniture includes four piece pierced patchbox, with an engraved rooster finial; classic Lebanon sideplate with beveled edges, brass buttplate, trigger guard, ramrod ferrules, and nosecap. There is an engraved eight point silver star inlaid above the cheekpiece, and a vacant silver wrist escutcheon, round in shape, with a tooled border. The cheekpiece is inlaid with a strip of sheet brass decorated with a broken line border. The toeplate terminates in a tulip with some light engraving followed by an ovoid brass inlay. Figured maple full length stock in familiar Lebanon County form, decorated on both sides just behind wrist with incised scrollwork. Forend on both sides is decorated with incised lines terminating in scrolls on both sides just above entry ferrule. CONDITION: Barrel retains a dark, heavy brown patina with crisp signature. Lock is in its original flintlock configuration. Furniture has been polished and now retains a mellowing patina. Stock shows some added finish, one small chip replaced around barrel tang and one small sliver below lockplate. There is a minor loss above front tang of lock and forend has a repaired crack on both sides about 16" from muzzle with a few replaced slivers along barrel.