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The remaining furniture is brass, and includes a distinctive four piece patchbox with fine engraving and pierced sections on the finial and sideplates. The patchbox release is in the engraved toeplate. A tow worm is inside the patchbox. The sideplate is also engraved, and the buttplate is faceted at the tang. The long and slender rifle measures 59 inches from muzzle to heel and weighs just under 8 pounds.
The cheekpiece inlay has the name “J Morrison” lightly signed in cursive towards the top. Their identity is not confirmed, but Morrison may have been the original owner of the rifle or at least one of the early owners of the rifle. There were a few J. Morrisons buried in Maryland in the period, including Jesse Jacob Morrison (1807-1874) of Boonsboro which was founded by Daniel Boone’s cousin George in 1792 and is located on what became the National Road.
CONDITION: Fine as expertly reconverted to flintlock configuration using the original Armstrong lock plate and parts copied from an original Armstrong lock. The barrel exhibits an even brown patina and has minor oxidation/pitting. The lock displays a dark blue and some minor oxidation/ pitting. The silver and brass furniture have attractive aged patina. The engraving and signatures are crisp. The stock is also fine and has distinct carving with some smoothing from handling, minor marks and scratches, faint repairs, and some thin cracks at the toe. Mechanically fine. Greg Lampe noted that this rifle “is probably in the top 5-10% in condition of a surviving Armstrong rifle.” It is certainly a stunning example of his highly sought after work.
Provenance: The Samuel Dyke Collection;
The William H. Reisner Jr. Collection; The Michael Simens Collection; The Greg Lampe Collection.
Estimate: 50,000 - 85,000
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