Page 250 - 4093-BOOK1

248
LOT 230
Documented David Dunmeyer Signed, Engraved, and
Incised Carved Somerset County Percussion American
Long Rifle - NSN, 40 cal., 43 inch octagon bbl., brown
finish, curly maple stock. This rifle is illustrated on page 87
of “Gunsmiths of Bedford, Fulton, Huntingdon, & Somerset
Counties” by Whisker and Yantz. David Dunmeyer (1825-
1913) was the son of Peter Dunmeyer, brother of Jonathan
Dunmeyer who made the rifle Lot 231, and uncle of Charles
Monroe Knupp who made the rifles in Lot 232 and Lot
233. Like his brother, he served in the Pennsylvania Infantry
during the Civil War (Company M, 102nd Pennsylvania
Volunteers, 1864-1865) and was partially disabled after being
wounded near Winchester, Virginia. This rifle is clearly signed
“D Dunmeyer” on the top of the barrel, but the family and
records related to them also spelled their surname “Dormayer,”
“Dunmire,” and “Dunmyre” at times. The swamped octagonal
barrel has straight rifling, dots around the muzzle, and blade
and notch sights. The single position lock is marked “Mc KIM/&
HARRIS” and has scroll patterns. The double set triggers must
be set before cocking. The furniture is brass and includes scroll and floral engraving. The
stock has incised scroll carving and molding. Includes information regarding the purchase
of the rifle from Warren T. Lewis in 1989.
CONDITION: Very good with dark brown patina on the barrel and lock, moderate pitting
and erosion on the metal and wood at the breech from corrosive percussion caps, broken
cleanout screw head, minor cracks and chips in the wood, attractive aged patina on the
brass mounts, and general mild wear. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: The Warren T. Lewis Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
LOT 229
Engraved, Silver Inlaid, and Incised Carved Somerset County
Percussion Long Rifle Attributed to Peter Dunmeyer - NSN, 32 cal., 44 7/8 inch
octagon bbl., brown finish, curly maple stock. Peter Dunmeyer (1795-1873) was a gunsmith
in Union Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania, and moved to Somerset Township, Somerset
County, Pennsylvania, by 1839. His sons Jonathan and David were also gunmakers and rifles from
them can be seen in Lot 230 and Lot 231. The family’s surname is also spelled Dunmyer and Dormayer
in records. The rifle has traditional dovetailed blade and notch sights, no visible barrel markings, faint game
scene engraving and traces of markings on the lock which has a Bedford/Somerset style hammer, adjustable
double set triggers, brass mounts including a very ornate patchbox with double pierced finial and side plates and a
double pierced counter plate, and a curly maple stock with incised molding and carving, eight silver inlays along the forend,
three more at the wrist, and a silver oval cheekpiece inlay with an engraved eagle and shield motif.
CONDITION: Very good as restored with refinished barrel with a filled dovetail, moderate pitting on the lock, attractively
aged patina on the brass mounts and silver inlays, crisp engraving and carving, attractive figure along the stock, some
repairs at the breech, spliced section starting 9 inches from the muzzle, and mild overall wear including some scrapes and
dings. The lock needs work. The set triggers function fine.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN
GUNSMITHS OF BEDFORD, FULTON,
HUNTINGDON & SOMERSET
COUNTIES BY WHISKER & YANTZ
Somerset County Pennsylvania Long Rifles from Three Generations of the Dunmeyer Family