September 29, 2021 The Bill Myers Collection
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/29/2021
One of only a handful known, with one example in the West Point Museum. For a nearly identical example, see plate 14.RR on page 226 of "Battle Weapons of the American Revolution" by George C. Neumann. Thomas 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 George Neumann, 4,000 short rifles accompanied Hessian troops during the Revolutionary War. The rifled swamped steel barrel is octagonal and is marked "N. 33" on top flat in front of the front sight. It features a fixed notched rear sight with additional leaf for longer yardage and a brass front sight. The flat lockplate has beveled edges and a flute at the tail section, marked in center "T.W. PISTOR" for maker Thomas Pistor, pan is unbridled. The brass mounts include the buttplate with faceted tang. Flat sideplate with beveled edges, having the same pattern as the other known example. The trigger guard is of classic German Jaeger style, identical to the other couple known examples, 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 near the muzzle and behind the rear trigger guard tang. The brass oval shaped wrist escutcheon is inscribed with the intertwined and unknown eagle motif below "MZ.CA.M.ZB.", perhaps being regimental marks or an officer's crest. The walnut full length stock of classic Germanic form features a period replaced tiger maple 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 at the wrist. Complete with its brass tipped iron ramrod, which is probably a replacement. CONDITION: Barrel retains a dark, even patina. Lock is a good professional reconversion using proper parts and retains a brown heavy surface. Brass retains a mellow mustard patina with scattered marks from use. Stock shows wear and scattered marks with some thin strips of wood professionally replaced along barrel on both sides. There is a hairline crack behind wrist on both sides, but not the entire way through. Minor chipping at toe and a period repaired crack between top of lock and barrel tang. This rifle almost certainly saw use in America by Hessian forces during the Revolution. An extraordinarily rare opportunity to own one of only two known examples of this historic Hessian rifle. DMG