May 27, 2020 Founders & Patriots
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/27/2020
One of two surviving examples, this one numbered '184' (the other, in a private American collection, numbered '196') of the 200 rifles ordered from August Heinrich Huhnstock of Hanover by the British Board of Ordnance on 4 January 1776 and upon which the Birmingham-made, British Pattern 1776 rifles were modeled. All 1000 rifles purchased by the Board of Ordnance (200 from Hanover and 800 from Birmingham makers) were shipped to America later that year. These rifles were initially issued to the provisional rifle platoon organized in each of the two battalions of British light infantry, as well as Provincial rifle-armed corps, such as Emmerick's Chasseurs and the rifle company of the New York Volunteers, and later to Ferguson's American Volunteers and the rifle company of the Queen's Rangers.
German jaeger-style rifle with 27 5/8 in. L octagonal barrel of 0.68 caliber bore (for 0.625 cal. carbine ball), key-fastened, with rear sight (one pronounced standing and one hinged leaf, with vacant holes on each side near muzzle that once supported ramrod swivel, rifled with seven grooves, brass-bladed, fore-end sight, and plain breech with tang bearing an engraved, '184'. Flat beveled lock terminating in a point at tail, unmarked, with flat, goose-neck cock, faceted, bridle-less pan, and feather-spring with teardrop finial. Figured European walnut, full stock and bearing Ordnance storekeeper's stamp on left side of butt behind raised cheekpiece, with brass mounts including spur trigger-guard with trefoil finial ends, buttplate with trefoil end to its tang, three wide ramrod pipes (a steel ramrod spring between the fore-pipe and middle pipe), rounded "tailed" sideplate, and the 1 7/16 in. L nose-cap is indented 1/4 in. from its top edges for 1/2 in. from the front and inlet below to allow the swivel (now missing) to function, with sliding wooden patch-box, sling swivels and original iron ramrod. 43 1/4 in. Overall length: 44 in. CONDITION: Barrel retains a spotted brown patina. Lock retains a lightly cleaned gray surface and is in its original flintlock configuration and is in very good working order. Stock shows scattered areas of worm damage and a portion of comb was removed during the period. Wrist has a small professionally repaired crack on each side, not visible to the naked eye. Brass retains a pleasing mustard patina. JLK
LITERATURE: Dewitt Bailey. "British Military Flintlock Rifles, 1740-1840." (Lincoln, RI: Mowbray, 2002), this exact rifle is discussed and illustrated on pp. 22-25 and 199.
Model
Pattern 1776 Hanoverian