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LOT 253
Daniel B. Border Signed, Engraved, and Silver Inlaid Bedford Percussion American Long Rifle - NSN, 38 cal., 43 3/4
inch octagon bbl., brown finish, curly maple stock. Daniel B. Border (1826-1891) was a gunmaker in Somerset and Bedford counties in
Pennsylvania and turned to work as a watchmaker and jeweler after the Civil War. The rifle features a swamped octagonal barrel with blade
and notch sights and “D. B. Border” neatly signed on top. The distinctive Bedford lock is signed “D B B”. The rifle is fired by adjustable double set
triggers (trigger must be set to fire). The mounts are brass, including an engraved Bedford school patchbox and sideplate, and the rifle also features
engraved silver teardrop inlays and a spread wing eagle and shield engraved silver oval on the cheekpiece. The stock is nicely figured curly maple, and
the rifle has a lightly striped hickory ramrod.
CONDITION: Good with dark artificial brown patina on the lock and barrel,
heavy pitting from corrosive percussion caps at the breech, corresponding
wood loss at the breech, attractive aged patina on the silver and brass, some repaired cracks, and mild overall wear. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 252
R.R.M. Signed Engraved Bedford County Percussion American Long Rifle with German Silver Inlays - NSN, 45 cal., 40
inch octagon bbl., brown/brass/German silver finish, curly maple stock. This c. mid-19th century Bedford County, Pennsylvania, style rifle
has a slightly swamped octagonal barrel signed “R.R.M.” and dovetailed blade and notch sights. The Bedford style lock has no visible markings.
The rifle is also equipped with double set triggers and features engraved brass mounts and numerous German silver inlays along the curly maple
stock. The rifle was purchased by the consignor from Norm Flayderman, Inc., and copies of information from that sale are included. Their catalog noted,
“Among the most handsome & beautifully decorated of all Penn-Kentuckies these Bedford’s
always among the most desirable & scarce.”
CONDITION: Good with dark brown patina on the lock and barrel, moderate flash pitting
and wear at the breech, chips around the lock, aged patina on the brass and German silver,
some pieces coming loose, two absent inlays on the left side of the forend, some cracks and
repairs in the stock, and mild scratches and dings. The lock needs work. The triggers function fine.
Provenance: Norm Flayderman, Inc.; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 251
Engraved, Silver Inlaid, and Relief Carved Bedford County Percussion American Long Rifle Attributed to Joseph
Mills - NSN, 40 cal., 42 3/4 inch octagon bbl., brown/bright/silver finish, curly maple stock. The initials signed on the distinctive Bedford
lock of this rifle are faint but appear to be “J M” for Joseph Mills. The rifle is similar in design to others by Mills featured in “Gunsmiths of Bedford,
Somerset and Fulton County” by the Whiskers and “Gunsmiths of Bedford, Fulton, Huntingdon, and Somerset Counties” by Whisker and Yantz. The
swamped octagonal barrel has dovetailed blade and notch sights. The full-cock only lock and double set triggers are setup so that the lock is only fired
after setting the trigger. The mounts are primarily engraved brass, including a Bedford County patchbox with pierced finial and side plates as well as a
silver wrist escutcheon, silver drops, and silver oval cheekpiece inlay. The beautifully figured curly maple stock has molding, raised relief carving ahead of
the flats, stylized drop flats, and relief carving on the butt, including attractive scrolls behind the cheekpiece.
CONDITION: Good with dark artificial brown patina and moderate pitting on the lock and barrel, attractively aged patina on the brass mounts and silver
inlays, crisp engraving, and moderate wear. The hammer has had the top section replaced. The well worn stock is good and has mostly distinct carving
and molding with some rub wear, repairs including splices along the forend, flash wear at the breech, and mild scratches and dings. Short ramrod.
Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
LOT 250
Engraved Jacob G. Breigle Bedford County Percussion American Long Rifle with German Silver Inlays - NSN, 36
cal., 40 1/4 inch octagon bbl., brown/brass/German silver finish, curly maple stock. Jacob Breigle/Briggle II (1831-1896) of Bedford,
Pennsylvania, was listed as a gunsmith when he joined the 138th Pennsylvania Volunteers during the Civil War and was discharged
due to “severe lung congestion and inflammation” on December 19, 1863. After recovering, he briefly lived in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, after
the war before relocating to Jasper County, Missouri, for the remainder of his life. See “Gunsmiths of Bedford, Fulton, Huntingdon, & Somerset
Counties” by Whisker and Yantz for more information and another rifle by Breigle. This rifle features dovetailed blade and notch sights on the
tapered octagonal barrel neatly signed “J.G. Breigle” in an engraved panel and a distinctive engraved Bedford lock with full-cock only tumbler that
is fired only after setting the adjustable double set triggers. The full-length curly maple stock has engraved brass mounts and engraved German
silver inlays, including an oval cheekpiece inlay engraved with a spread wing eagle.
Includes documentation from when the rifle was purchased from Norm Flayderman, Inc.
CONDITION: Fine with dark brown patina, moderate flash pitting and wear at the breech, attractively aged patina on the brass
mounts, bright inlays, distinct engraving, legible signature, loosening lower patchbox side plate, and mild scratches and dings on the metal and
stock. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: Norm Flayderman, Inc.; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500