May 17, 2022 Early Arms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/17/2022
The Ferguson rifle is one of the great rarities of historic arms collecting. This example, according to its previous description at Pook & Pook in 2013, this was from the George C. Neumann Collection. The two makers of the original Ferguson rifles and the pattern guns were D. Egg and J. Hunt. This example, made for private purchase, most likely for an officer, is made by Durs Egg. It dates to the last quarter of the 18th century. The tapered round barrel features seven-groove rifling. There is a front sight on top and a bayonet lug on the right side. The rear sight is mounted on the front of the barrel tang. Top of breech screw is engraved with a flower, as the military examples are. Tapering top flat inscribed "D. Egg LONDON" and one on side the London view mark and on the other, the London proof mark. The flat lockplate has beveled edges and is secured with a screw on the front, just behind the pan. The center is inscribed "D. Egg". The revolving trigger guard is engraved with arms motifs on the bow, suggesting use by an officer. This example has a unique feature. There is a slot cut in the trigger itself that allow the guard to pass. At one full rotation, there is a protruding bar, which catches on the trigger so that the breech plug cannot fall out the bottom. Plain iron ramrod ferrules and bosecap. Three-stage iron buttplate engraved with arms motifs. Walnut stock of classic English form with a slight Brown Bess-like swell at the ramrod entry ferrule. Complete with its probably original wooden ramrod with iron cap. The rifle is accompanied by an associated bayonet that is slightly large and has a 24" triangular blade and 4" socket. CONDITION: Barrel retains a grey patina with scattered light pitting and brown spots overall, markings excellent and rifling strong. Mechanism functions very well and is tight. Lock is in its original flintlock configurations and functions well. Lock markings are excellent and lock retains a grey patina. Mounts retain a grey patina with some scattered light pitting. Stock has a partially cracked wrist and a crack between bottom of lockplate, in center, and trigger floorplate. Stock has scattered wormholes at checkered wrist and a crack through the lower left side for the wrist. Barrel has strong, seven-groove rifling. Bayonet retains a brown patina with some old yellow paint. A very nice example of these rare and desirable Ferguson breechloading rifles. DMG