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LOT 3074
Engraved, Silver Mounted, and Incised Carved Flintlock American Long Rifle with Desirable “Reading” Inscribed Patchbox - NSN, 45 cal., 42 inch octagon bbl., brown finish, maple stock. The consignor attributed this rifle
to William Shener of Reading, PA active 1779-1785. The rifled barrel has a silver blade front sight and iron notch rear sight. There appears to have been a signature on the top of the barrel that has long since faded.
The lock signature appears to be “W. Copper.” The silver wrist escutcheon is inscribed “GE,” and the silver wedge escutcheons have floral engraving. The cheekpiece has a silver hunter’s star with engraved radiating
lines. The sideplate, forend wear plate, and buttplate are plain. The toeplate
is engraved. The patchbox has a beautiful engraved bird’s head finial, light engraving on the sideplates, and “Reading” neatly inscribed on the patchbox lid. The stock has nice
molding along the ramrod channel
and bottom of the butt, a nice Roman nose profile, and incised scroll
carving behind the cheekpiece. A worm and a few patches are within the patchbox. This rifle is
part of a group of several known rifles with very similar “Reading” inscriptions on the patchbox lids, but there other
details vary. One of the known rifles is dated “1812.” CONDITION: Very good as reconverted to flintlock configuration with mix of dark brown patina and mild oxidation, natural aged patinas on the brass and silver, crisp engraving, and mild overall wear. The stock is fine and has nice flame figure, distinct carving, light scratches and dings, a repaired crack at the toe from shrinkage, and some wear at the breech. Mechanically fine. Overall, a very
attractive and distinctive rifle. Estimate: 7,500 - 11,000
LOT 3075
John Meals Signed, Engraved, and Incise Carved Flintlock
American Long Rifle - NSN, 45 cal., 40 1/2 inch octagon bbl., brown finish, maple
stock. The lot 3067, John Meals (1789-1852) rifle’s patchbox and a facsimile of the signature
are pictured on page 267 as rifle 511 in the classic “Kentucky Rifle Patchboxes & Barrel Marks” by Roy
Chandler. Other John Meals rifles are featured in both Chandler’s book and Kindig’s “Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle in
Its Golden Age” demonstrating some of the wide array of decorative designs Meals employed during his career in the first half of the 19th century in
Butler Township, Adams County, Pennsylvania. This rifle has blade and notch sights, “J*Meal” signed on top, an “A.W. SPIES/WARRANTED” with floral and martial pattern engraving, floral and scroll engraving on the side plate and patchbox that matches the incised carving on the left side of the stock, incised lines along the forend, and toe plate. CONDITION: Good as reconverted to flintlock configuration with mix of brown patina and applied brown finish on the barrel, gray and brown patina on the lock, aged patina on the brass, replacement toe plate, and work at the breech. The refinished stock is fair and has a pieced repair at the wrist that is separating, some additional repairs elsewhere, smooth refreshed finish, and mild scratches and dings. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
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