xxSOLDxx BERKS COUNTY LONG RIFLE-18th Century

This Blue Mountain School Berks County Pennsylvania long rifle is the earliest of its type that I have encountered.  It is a large caliber (.54), full curly maple stocked flintlock with the original cherry red surface.  This early rifle measures 62 3/4 inches overall with a 47 1/2 inch swamped octagon rifled barrel.  Early featured include a flat, wide butt, a wrist which is wider than it is deep, early Moravian style incise carving, and an early gunsmith made original flintlock with the early feature of an internal frizzen screw.  The frizzen exhibits the neat feature of having been "re-shoed".  The two piece brass patchbox is engraved in a bold pattern associated with Jacob Georg, but if this is a Jacob Georg, it is the earliest yet-encountered rifle.  It is more likely made by whomever Georg apprenticed to, possibly his father, or possibly William Antes.  The incise carving is closely related to the carving on the William Antes attributed rifle pictured on pgs. 102 through 111 in the book "Moravian Gun Making of the American Revolution" by Bob Leinemann and Steve Hench.  An outstanding early rifle. SOLD

Condition:  Excellent with no major restoration.  Original flintlock.  Original surface.  Small split at toe on the obverse side which does not carry through to the reverse side.