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LOT 3070
Extraordinary Documented John Armstrong Golden Age Percussion American Long Rifle From The Locke Collection - NSN, 44 cal., 41 3/4 inch octagon bbl., brown/casehardened finish, raised relief carved maple stock. This extraordinary rifle was made
by John Armstrong of Emmitsburg, Maryland and is photographed on page 484 of “The William M. Locke Collection”. Started in 1808
and was active until 1822 or as late as 1841. His four sons and his apprentice, Nathaniel Rowe, were trained in his style. Armstrong’s designs themselves draw from the earlier work of George Schreyer who was based in the town of Hanover just a short distance away. 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.” Kindig notes that Armstrong used the same attributes many times over.
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