John George Schreyer (George Schreyer Sr. 1739-1819) and his son George Schreyer (-1771-1824+) were both gunmakers in Hanover, York County, Pennsylvania. Their last name has also been seen spelled Schryer and Schroyer. This smoothbore gun was built by the older Schreyer and is pictured on pages 104-105 of "Gunsmiths of York County" by Whisker. The patch box is finely engraved and has a rattlesnake design on the domed door and a hidden release button on the engraved toe plate. Timber rattlesnakes were important patriotic symbols in the late 18th century and early 19th century and represented our willingness to defend ourselves and our territory with deadly force. They remain part of the seal of the Department of the U.S. Army. Another famous Schreyer rattlesnake rifle from the Joe Kindig Jr. and Piedmont Collections was previously sold through our auction, but rattlesnakes are rare on American long rifles, especially compared to symbols such as bald eagles. The barrel is signed "George Schryer" and has rifle sights. The stock has molding lines along the forend, raised fleur-de-lis style carving at the ramrod entry pipe and breech found on other Schreyer rifles, additional shell carving at the ramrod entry pipe, nicely formed tear drop stock flats, and beautiful relief rococo carving in the wrist and length of the butt on the left under the cheekpiece. Copies of notes found in the patch box indicated this gun was originally owned by the Roop family and then passed on to the Petry family and subsequently the family of Charles Petry Yingling (1913-1974) family.

Good as reconverted to flintlock configuration and partially restored by master gunsmith Brian LaMaster per included notes with mottled gray and brown patina, minor pitting, dimples around the vent, dark aged patina on the brass, distinct engraving, some smoothing of the carving (particularly at the entry pipe), subtle cracks and repairs, some flash wear at the breech, and attractive variations in tone, especially on the butt. Mechanically fine.