xxSOLDxx KENTUCKY RIFLE signed "P A", Peter Angstadt

This classic Kutztown School full stock rifle is signed "P A" in script near the breach of the 43 1/4" octagon to round smooth rifle barrel.  The top flat also has the classic Peter Angstadt engraved snowflake.  This rifle is stocked in cherry with a mellow old original surface and prodigeous amounts of classic Angstadt incise carving, including:  1) back-to-back "C" scrolls  as well as a chip carved snowflake behind the cheekpiece, 2)  elaborate incise and chip carving around the barrel tang, 3)   "swag and tassel" carved "sideplates" on either side of the patchbox lid,  4)  elaborate incise carving with snowflake behind the rear ramrod ferrule, and finally 5)   double carved lines on either side of the ramrod channel consisting of a straight line above a incised wavey line from the rear ferrule to the muzzle cap.  The rifle is brass mounted with a typical two piece patchbox which is lightly engraved with matching "swag and tassel"s to mirror the carving on either side of the pb lid.  The finial is classic Kutztown trefoil, also engraved.  There are two snowflake engravings on the pb, one on the finial and one on the lid.  In addition, there is a engraved brass inlay above the cheekpiece fastened with a screw in the middle.

The rifle includes a notarized note from Jerry Noble who states that he bought the rifle in 1986 from the original Lemon farm auction in Aledo, Illinois where it has been since being carried west by wagon in 1853.  Jerry further states that he first saw the rifle in 1953 and that it was still in flint, but not the original lock.  The note further states that the Lemons came from just north of Kutztown Pennsylvania before emigrating to Illinois.  Neat provenance.

Condition:  Jerry Noble had the rifle restored by the late great Keith Neubauer and the restoration is invisible, but here is what I believe has been restored:  the lock is replaced with an appropriate Germanic style flintlock as the flintlock in it was not the original but an in-period replacement.  Probably some invisible wood restoration around the lock panel.  A 1" section of the toe is invisibly restored, and 3" sliver of wood is invisibly restored up to the nosecap.  The barrel may or may not have been shortened by 1 3/8" in period, possibly when the original flintlock was replaced because there is a 1 3/8" difference in spacing between the ferrules and the signature "P A" is just forward of the touch hole. **SOLD**