September 5-7, 2023 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/6/2023
The only known example of a Kentucky-style rifle made by Samuel Armstrong, one of master gunmaker John Armstrong's sons. Pictured in "Maryland Longrifles" by Daniel D. Hartzler and James B. Whisker on pages 251 and 252 and also pictured in "Gunsmiths of Maryland Firelock Colonial Period through the Breech-Loading Patent Models Featuring Longrifles" by Daniel D. Hartzler and James B. Whisker. Smoothbore octagon barrel with German silver blade front sight, notch rear sight, and beautifully signed in script "SAMUEL ARMSTRONG". Unmarked percussion lock with double set trigger control. Full length curly maple stock with vine and wing relief carving behind the cheek. The gun is also carved with a triangular pattern under the cheek and a floral pattern in front of the patchbox and cheek, relief gadroon pattern carving in front of the lock with "bushy tail" pattern behind lock and sideplate. Raised carving around tang. Forestock has excellent molding line carving ending in a fleur-de-lis pattern behind the tailpipe. Gun has 9 silver inlays, including a typical Armstrong-style Federal Eagle, a thumbpiece, and barrel escutcheons, with a silver band at the end of the molding line. Brass hardware, including a floral finial 4-piece patchbox with crossed floral stem engraved patchbox lid. Armstrong-style raised dimple tailpipe and faceted ramrod pipes. Comes with hardwood ramrod. CONDITION: Metal exhibits aged patina with surface corrosion and pitting around firing areas. Brass has an aged dark patina with age discoloration. Wood has a coat of shellac with repaired wrist crack and roughly 9" of the forestock replaced. Wood has various usage cracks and dings. Mechanics are sticky, with a screw missing out of the trigger plate. Dark pitted bore. Rare rifle.
Caliber/Bore
.56 Percussion
Manufacturer
Samuel Armstrong
Paperwork
Books, Information