October 30, 2019 The Collection of Steve & Marcy Hench
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/30/2019
This rifle is attributed to Adam Angstadt and was made in Berks County, Pennsylvania. It is known that famous Frontiersman Hugh Glass carried an Angstadt rifle which was stolen from him by Fitzgerald and "Bridges", whom left him to die. This story was made into the 2015 film "The Revenant" starring Leonardo DiCaprio. It is very likely that Glass carried a large caliber Angstadt very similar to this example. The rifle has a heavily rifled heavy .75 caliber octagonal barrel with brass dovetailed front sight and notched rear sight. The flat lockplate is engraved with scrolls and has a roller frizzen and a reinforced cock. The four piece brass patchbox is engraved with scrolls and feathering in the classic Angstadt style. The flat sideplate is typical of Berks County and Adam Angstadt. Faceted buttplate tang and trigger guard. Plain brass toeplate and nosecap. There is a finely engraved silver eight-point star inlaid above the cheekpiece and a brass and an iron loop below the cheekpiece for a touch-hole pick. The wrist bears an oval escutcheon of silver decorated with rocker panel engraving. The heavy barrel is retained by four iron keys. Partially figured maple stock of classic Berks County form. Carved with incised C-scrolls and a checkered ovoid panel behind the cheekpiece, as well as in front of the cheekpiece. There is also incised scrollwork surrounding the barrel tang. CONDITION: Barrel retains a grey patina with some darker areas and some heavy corrosion at breech. Rifling is still deep. Lock is probably a second lock but is in its original flintlock configuration and retains a grey, spotted patina; frizzen relined during period of use. Brass furniture is polished and retains a mellowing patina. Stock shows a later coat of finish around repairs with much original patina and finish. A minor piece at the toe is replaced and there are some losses around lock, and minor pieces of wood replaced around barrel tang. This is a very nicely carved and serious Berks County rifle.
Manufacturer
Adam Angstadt, Attributed