A note inside the patchbox attributes this rifle to Joseph Angstadt and indicates this rifle is featured in plate 6 rifle #3 on page 8 of "The Kentucky Rifle" by John G. W. Dillin where it is listed as from the Laidacker Collection and by an unidentified maker. The rifle is similar to some others attributed to Joseph Angstadt. Angstadt is listed as taxed in Maxatawny Township in Berks County, Pennsylvania, in 1800 and then in 1817 just to the west in Kutztown. A comparison to No. 55 on page 164 of "Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle in Its Golden Age" by Kindig is useful as that rifle is signed "Jos. An." There are also a small number of other "JOS ANG" or similarly signed rifles that share similarities with this rifle which has a smoothbored barrel, blade and notch sights, unmarked lock, oval silver wrist escutcheon, with "eye" shaped engraving, silver crescent moon cheekpiece inlay, molding along the forend, incised and raised relief carved scrollwork on the forend at the ramrod entry pipe as well as at the wrist and the butt, an engraved four-piece patchbox with pierced finial, toeplate with wavy line engraving and patchbox release button, and a crescent buttplate with narrow toe, wider heel, and faceted tang. Provenance: The Laidacker Collection; The Bruce Moyer Collection; Property of a Gentleman

Very good original flintlock configuration with dark brown patina, mild oxidation and pitting, cracked lock screw, aged patina on the brass furniture, and general moderate overall wear. The stock is very good with mostly distinct carving, attractive flame figure, a spliced toe section, series of thin cracks through the butt, some small repairs in the forend, and some cracks and chips. Mechanically fine.