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Maryland in the early 19th century. John was born on September 5, 1772, in Liberty Township, Pennsylvania, and it’s believed that he learned his trade, as a young man, from noted gunsmith George Schroyer, of Hanover, Pennsylvania. The exact date when John Armstrong arrived in Emmitsburg Maryland and set
up his business is unknown, but he is listed as a gunsmith in that town in 1808.” He may have remained active until his death c. 1842. On page 445 of “Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle in Its Golden Age”, Joe Kindig, Jr. writes: “John Armstrong was a fine gunsmith. He was a very good carver, and he made beautiful inlays and large patch boxes. His engraving is very good. He also added “John Armstrong’s workmanship is magnificent and his designs are just perfection. I cannot emphasize the beauty of his rifles.” Kindig notes that Armstrong used the same attributes many times over. This creates less variety in his work, but it also allowed him to really refine the details. Armstrong’s designs draw from the earlier work
by James R. Johnston, and “The Kentucky Rifle” by Merrill Lindsay.
This rifles barrel is coned at the muzzle and has distinct rifling and traditional blade and notch sights. The breech section of the barrel is signed “John Armstrong” in script. The lock plate has a script “JA” marking at center, lined borders, and some simple engraving. It has a full-length maple stock with fine molding and raised relief floral and scroll carving in classic Armstrong patterns, including a fleur-de-lis style motif on the forend, attractive tear drop flats, scroll carving at the barrel tang and rear of the wrist, the distinctive raised checkered pattern below the cheekpiece, and a gadroon and scroll design behind the cheekpiece. The wrist has a blank silver escutcheon, and the silver cheekpiece plate is engraved with a federal eagle and shield design.
LOT 1098
Extraordinary John Armstrong Maryland Golden Age Kentucky Flintlock American Long Rifle with Raised Relief Carved Stock - NSN, 46 cal., 43 1/8 inch octagon bbl., brown/brass/silver finish, curly maple stock. This extraordinary rifle was made by John Armstrong of Emmitsburg, Maryland. The Kentucky
Rifle Foundation notes, “John Armstrong is listed as a gunsmith in Emmitsburg
of George Schreyer who was based in the town of Hanover just a short distance away. His four sons and his apprentices Nathaniel Rowe and Marine Tyler Wickham were trained in his style, but his sons did not remain in the gun trade. Examples
of Armstrong’s work can be found in many publications on American long rifles/ Kentucky rifles, such as “The Kentucky Rifle” by John G. W. Dillin, “Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle in Its Golden Age” by Kindig, “Kentucky Rifles & Pistols, 1750-1850”