January 16, 2020 The Susquehanna Collection
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/16/2020
This rifle is featured as No. 134 on pages 574 and 575 of "Rifles of Colonial America" by George Shumway. It is also pictured on page 23 of "Moravian Gunmaking" published by the Kentucky Rifle Association and Robert Lienemann. It is attributed to Christian Oerter during his apprenticeship with Andreas Albrecht in Christian Springs, Pennsylvania. In 1762, a formal gunsmiths shop opened at Christian Springs and in 1760 Oerter apprenticed under Andreas Albrecht. Christian Oerter was born in 1747 and moved from Bethlehem to Nazarath in 1769. He moved to Christian Springs in 1760. In 1766 he became Master of the gunshop. He died on March 29th, 1777 at age 29. Many features on this rifle relate to Oerter's work, including the overall architecture, the unique muzzle cap construction, the style of the hardware, the use of an early English lock, and the forestock moldings which are indicative of early Lehigh County. The early, swamped octagon barrel features a brass front sight and a shaped, notched iron rear sight. This early barrel was possibly shop-made as file marks are present. The barrel has narrow seven groove radius rifling in the early style. There is an engraved dagger on the underside of the barrel. The early English lock has a flat plate engraved with scroll decoration. Early English locks are listed in the Christian Springs gunshop inventory. The brass furniture is very similar to gun number 43 in "Rifles of Colonial America" by George Shumway. The trigger guard is indicative of other Oerter rifles and has a large lug in front of the trigger guard bow, and faceted faces. The buttplate measures 2-1/8" across at the widest point and has a faceted tang. The ramrod ferrules are of cast brass. The full length, partially figured, maple stock has a classic, early Lehigh profile. There are relief panels around the lock and sideplate, and a relief pennant with incised designs around the barrel tang. The wrist is stepped slightly and there is a long, molded cheekpiece. The rifle has a simple, incised 'S' shaped design behind the cheekpiece, along with a single leaf. The sliding wooden patchbox is rectangular. Complete with a wooden ramrod. CONDITION: Barrel retains a mottled, brown patina with some corrosion around touch hole. Original lock is in its original flintlock configuration and functions well. Lock retains a dark brown patina and part of the cock screw was broken off during the period and is absent. Brass retains a dark mustard to brown patina and shows some wear and scattered marks. Stock shows no signs of restoration. There is some minor chipping around the lock as well as a small crack stemming from the front of the lock tang. Otherwise, there are a few scattered marks from use, minor age cracks, and a couple minor chips along forend. Retains a later coat of finish. A nice, early rifle with attractive architecture. CORRECTION: It is the opinion of some collectors that the rifle is attributed to Oerter. The authors “Moravian Gunmaking” do not share the same opinion on the attribution.
Manufacturer
Christian Oerter - Attributed
Model
Flintlock Kentucky Rifle