May 18, 2021 Early Arms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/18/2021
According to Whisker, George Adam Pritz (or Britz or Fritz) was a gunsmith listed on the tax rolls of Washington Township, now Franklin County, from 1780-1793. Pritz later moved to York County in 1793 and lived in or near Hanover. Available tax records lists place Pritz in Hanover between 1807 and 1823. He was enumerated as a gunsmith only in the years 1807, 1809, 1810, and 1812. He was then listed only as a blacksmith until 1826, when he is listed as a whitesmith. He died in 1836. The two-stage smoothbore barrel is inscribed "A. Pritz" on the top flat and has rocker-panel engraved designs at the breech. The handmade lockplate has beveled edges and two engraved lines at the tail. The brass engraved brass patchbox terminates in a daisy finial, tombstone shaped toeplate. The flat brass sideplate has deeply engraved series of lines at both ends. There is an oval-shaped silver wrist escutcheon engraved with a rocker panel border. The plain maple stock is of York County form and has an incised daisy carved behind the ramrod entry ferrule that mimics the patchbox finial. There is scalloping and incised scrolls around the barrel tang. There are also incised panels around the lock and sideplate terminating in tear drops. There are incised designs around the comb and on both sides of the wrist. On the left side there are incised floral scrolls on both sides of the long molded cheek piece. Complete with its period and probably original wooden ramrod. CONDITION: Barrel retains a brown patina and signature is somewhat worn but still clearly legible. Lock is a professional reconversion and is well aged with a matching patina to barrel. Brass retains a pleasing mustard patina. Stock is very good retaining much original finish. A couple splinters have been professionally replaced along barrel on both sides. An attractive signed York County rifle with very nice pronounced carving. DMG
Item Dimensions: L: 65".
Caliber/Bore
.58 Smoothbore