October 30, 2019 The Collection of Steve & Marcy Hench
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/30/2019
The only other known German Jaeger with a Landgraf monogram and a Pistor marking is in the West Point Museum. This nearly identical example can be seen in plate 14.RR on page 226 of "Battle Weapons of the American Revolution" by George C. Neumann. Benhard Pistor was a maker in Cassel, Germany to the Landgraf family who were responsible for sending the mercenary Hessian troops to America during the American Revolution. According to Neumann, 4,000 short rifles accompanied Hessian troops during the Revolutionary War. The rifled swamped steel barrel is octagonal and is unmarked, brass touch-hole liner. It features a fixed sight with an additional leaf for longer range shots. The flat lockplate has beveled edges and a flute at the tail section, marked in center "B. PISTOR" for maker Benhard Pistor. Unbridled pan and scalloped frizzen spring. The brass mounts include the buttplate with faceted tang inscribed "No. 131" (Note that the other known example is numbered 206). Flat sideplate with beveled edges, same pattern as the other known example. The triggerguard is of classic German Jaeger style, identical to the other example, terminating at both ends with a trifed finial. Brass nosecap and ramrod ferrules which are faceted, front two ferrules are trumpeted. The rifle is fitted with iron sling swivels on the forestock and behind the rear triggerguard tang. The brass oval-shaped wrist escutcheon is inscribed with the intertwined "WL" monogram below a crown, indicating ownership by Wilhelm Landgraf, who founded the non-sovereign line Hesse-Philippsthal-Barchfeld of the house of Hesse in 1721. He died in 1761, when he was the governor of Breda. He was the Landgrave of Hesse between 1721 and 1761. The walnut full-length stock of classic Germanic form features a sliding wooden patchbox. There are relief -carved panels around the lock, sideplate, barrel tang, and ramrod channel. The left side of the buttstock is carved with a relief cheekpiece terminating in a small incise-carved scroll. Complete with its original brass-tipped iron ramrod. CONDITION: Barrel and lock cleaned bright, some scattered minor pitting. Rifling is still deep and lock is in original flintlock configuration with excellent markings. Brass is polished and retains a mellowing patina. Nosecap is a replacement. Stock has a couple minor pieces replaced on forend and around lock and barrel tang. Some minor worm damage which has been filled . There are a few minor hairline age cracks and scattered marks from use. This rifle most likely saw use in America by Hessian forces during the Revolution. An extraordinarily rare opportunity to own one of only two known example of this historic Hessian rifle.