November 15 & 16, 2022 Extraordinary Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/15/2022
Carved Flintlock Kentucky Rifle signed by Mathias Schroyer, the younger brother of George Schroyer. Mathias Schroyer worked in Taneytown, Maryland with working dates circa 1796 to 1800. This rifle is probably a restock of Schroyer parts, possibly in Bedford County, Pennsylvania. Rifle has a coffin shaped silver inlay on cheek dated "August 1811" with Masonic symbols and a name in script: "Jonathan Cesna Cumberland Vally". Family search lists a Jonathan Cesna in Cumberland Valley born in 1760 and died in 1853. The Cumberland Valley runs south of Bedford into Maryland and is also where Peter White worked. This rifle has many traits similar to Peter White's work who was still in that Valley in 1811. Rifle has a 43 - 1/2" octagonal, deeply rifled barrel, rifle sights, and is signed in script "M SCHROYER". Flint lock with single trigger control. Full curly maple stock with brass hardware including an engraved 4 piece patchbox with plain finial and floral symbols engraved on lid with release in toe, 4 coin silver inlays, and a brass "Man In The Moon" inlay. Raised carved vine style carving often seen in Bedford County with raised floral wrist carving and incised squiggle carving on wrist. Comes with hardwood ramrod and consignor research. Pictured on pg. 35 of "Maryland Longrifles" by Hartzler and Whisker. CONDITION: Overall good with metal flaking and turning a brown patina, with use of some older parts. Lock and wrist area show some heavy professional restoration. Lock is newer replacement. Forestock shows some missing chips of wood. Lock has some burnout around lock with wood missing. Stress cracks through carving and patchbox areas. Dark, pitted bore with sticky mechanics. Period restock of a rare seldom seen maker. DLM
Manufacturer
Mathias Schroyer