December 10-13, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/10/2024
The sideplate of this historic pistol is engraved: "REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 1776 CAPTAIN / DANIEL REIFF". It was probably engraved for the Revolutionary War's Centennial celebration by the family in the 1870s. Daniel Reiff was the Captain of the Seventh Company of the First Battalion, Berks County, Pennsylvania Militia in May, 1777. The 1st Battalion of the Berks County Militia fought in the 1st Pennsylvania Militia Brigade under General John Armstrong at the Battle of Brandywine and the Battle of Germantown. His circa 1770 homestead and several outbuildings, including his stone smithy, are shown in the book "Oley Valley Heritage; The Colonial Years: 1700-1775" by Phillip Pendleton. The octagon barrel has an inset brass sight at the muzzle end. Its 4 - 1/2" flat lock plate features a gooseneck cock with an engraved screw and a rounded pan. It has a decoratively curled trigger. All of the furniture is brass with the pommel cap terminating in a liberty cap design. The stock is of figured tiger maple with a cane grip and a wooden ramrod. CONDITION: Very good overall. Barrel and lock retain a pleasing brown patina. Lock is in its original flintlock configuration and functions well. Brass retains a pleasing dark mustard patina. Stock retains its original finish and shows some scattered marks from use. An important identified Berks County pistol. PROVENANCE: Renowned collector Walter O’Conner purchased this pistol directly from the Reiff family in Pasadena, California.