October 22-23, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/23/2019
Abraham Schweitzer worked in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania circa 1820. Gun has octagon smoothbore barrel with rifle sights and unusual diamond inlays in what appears to be silver on all exposed barrel flats throughout the length of the barrel. Also behind rear sight there is a tomahawk between two hearts then a plugged slot for a sight then what appears to be a knife between two hearts followed by a "S" and an "I", also in what appears to be silver. These decorations are not known to be common on Schweitzer's rifles, but it is unknown who placed them there. With the horsehead patchbox, style of relief carving and stock archictecture, we can safely attribute this rifle to Abraham Sweitzer. Gun has Germanic style flint lock with heavy brass sideplate. Full curly maple stock with silver thumbpiece and "Hunter's Star" inlay on the cheekpiece and raised relief carving behind the cheek piece and around wrist. Gun has incised carving along the forestock. Brass furniture with patchbox release in toeplate. CONDITION: Gun has been heavily restored with a foot of wood added to the forestock. Tang has been changed and a piece of wood added in the wrist. Small hunks of wood have been added in horsehead and around the patchbox. Lock is a modern replacement and gun has been reconverted with some wood burned out at top. There are mismatched ramrod pipes suggesting replacement with tailpipe worn almost through. Double set triggers function fine. Interesting rifle. DLM2019
Caliber/Bore
.58 Smoothbore
Manufacturer
Schweitzer (Attributed)
Model
Flintlock Kentucky Rifle