KENTUCKY RIFLE YORK COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA
Signed C. Zorger
This beautiful Ca 1820-1825 York County, PA long rifle was made and signed by C. Zorger on the top flat of the 42 inch .52cal. full octagon rifled barrel. The rifle measures 57 1/2 inches overall with a full tiger maple stock. This rifle is considered a "medium weight" rifle, weighing 10 pounds 12 ounces whereas most other known C. Zorger rifles are match rifles weighing upwards of 17+ lbs. Very little is know about C. Zorger though Kindig speculated that he was related to Fredrick Zorger of York Pennsylvania. Kindig believed that C. Zorger was kin of Fredrick and associated (if not apprenticing to) Adam Ernst. According to an article in the Kentucky Rifle Association Bulletin 30, No. 1 by Phillip Dodson, the 1800 York census lists in Fredrick Zorger's household, two males age 26 to 45 and one male age under 10. The two males age above 26 were undoubtedly his sons Fredrick Jr. born 1767 and Michael born 1770 and the male under age 10 could be son Christopher. It is known that Fredrick Jr. was a gunsmith and Christopher was probably our "C. Zorger". Although Christian is mentioned in the article, there is no further documentation regarding this in the article.
There are a number of outstanding features of this rifle, the foremost feature being its pristine condition. The second outstanding feature is a tiger maple stock which is boldly and evenly striped throughout its entire length with incise carved volutes behind the cheekpiece, around the comb, and around the entry ferrule. The carving is a pattern that C. Zorger used on all of his known rifles, simple incising but beautifully designed and skillfully executed. Zorger carved neat raised "beauty lines" along the length of the barrel on either side and there are 10 coin silver inlays. The third outstanding and rare feature of this rifle is the four piece engraved brass patchbox with a dog's head finial. There are only two other gunsmiths who used this feature, Fredrick Zorger and Adam Ernst. The patchbox lid is convex and its release is integral with the lower sideplate. Finally, the engraving of the brass mounts of this rifle are neatly and artistically executed. York County features include the stock's architecture, the tappering rear entry ferrule, the "dimple" filed in the forward part of the triggerguard, the embryonic bird engraved at the rear screw of the upper pathchbox side plate, and the sideplate design.
Condition: Excellent with no restoration. Original flintlock. The original finish is covered by a thick wax coat.
References: -KRA Bulletin 30, No. 1 "Fredrick Zorger" by Phillip Dodson
-"Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle" by Joe Kindig Jr. Pg 358-363.
-"Longrifle Articles in Muzzleblasts" by George Shumway, Vol. I, Pg 184-5.
-"Pennsylvania Longrifles of Note" by Geo. Shumway and Rex Reddick, Pg 64-5.