Skip to main content
Rock Island Auction Company
AuctionsConsignmentBlogFAQNewsAbout Us
Create Account
Login
AuctionsConsignmentBlogFAQNews & EventsAbout Us
Login
Create Account

History Lives Here

Rock Island Auction Company
1-309-797-15001-800-238-8022[email protected]
RIAC Rock Island
7819 42nd Street West
Rock Island, Illinois 61201, USA
8:00am - 5:00pm, Mon - Fri
RIAC Bedford
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, Texas 76021, USA
8:00am - 5:00pm, Mon - Fri
Navigation
  • Auctions
  • Consignment
  • Blog
  • FAQ
  • News
  • About Us
More Info
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Job Postings & Careers
  • Contact
  • Order a Catalog
© 2025 Rock Island Auction Company. RIAC believes that this website is accessible to the widest possible audience pursuant to the guidelines of the Americans with Disability Act. Click here for more information.
Healthcare Transparency in Coverage.
  • Auction Catalog #89
  • Lot #1099
Lot #1098
Lot #1100

Lot 1099: Peter Moll, Hellerstown, PA Flintlock American Long Rifle

Desirable Peter Moll, Hellerstown, Pennsylvania, Smoothbore Flintlock American Long Rifle

Auction Location: Rock Island, IL

Auction Date: August 26, 2023

Lot 1099: Peter Moll, Hellerstown, PA Flintlock American Long Rifle

Desirable Peter Moll, Hellerstown, Pennsylvania, Smoothbore Flintlock American Long Rifle

Auction Location: Rock Island, IL

Auction Date: August 26, 2023

Estimated Price: $10,000 - $15,000

Desirable Peter Moll, Hellerstown, Pennsylvania, Smoothbore Flintlock American Long Rifle

Manufacturer: American
Model: Flintlock
Type: Rifle
Gauge: 52
Barrel: 43 1/8 inch octagon
Finish: brown/casehardened/brass
Grip:
Stock: curly maple
Item Views: 1772
Item Interest: Active
Serial Number:
Catalog Page: 76
Class: Antique
Description:

Peter Moll (1799-1879) fought in the War of 1812 in Abraham Rinker's Company in Colonel Thomas Humphrey's 18th Riflemen. Afterwards, he became a gunmaker in Hellerstown, Pennsylvania. In addition to his rifles and smoothbore long guns, he and his relative David Moll manufactured pistols that have been considered "secondary martial pistols." The barrel is bored smooth and has traditional low profile blade and notch sights, "Peter Moll Hellerstown No. 141" signed on top in fancy script, and "D CHRIST" ("D" weakly stamped or has die breaks making it look like an "I") stamped on the left. The lock has some simple engraving, a roller on the feather spring, and "JOHN WALKER/BIRMINGHAM" stamped at the center. The silver wrist escutcheon is inscribed with the initials "JA." The two-piece brass patchbox has some light wavy line engraving and the typical Moll shape. The sideplate has the "arrowhead" rear finial. The small cheekpiece has a silver hunter star inlay. The stock also has some double incised line molding along the forend and bottom of the buttstock. Moll No. 140 is also known to survive and is very similar and also has a Christ barrel and Walker lock. A Jacob Christ of Berks County, Pennsylvania, has been previously listed as the maker of these barrels, but Shumway and others also list a D. Christ as a rifle barrel maker in Berks County. Some theorize he specialized in smooth-boring worn rifle barrels. There were at least three Daniel Christs in Berks County in the first half of the 19th century.

Rating Definition:

Fine as reconverted to flintlock configuration with dark brown patina, mild pitting concentrated at the vent, attractive aged patina on the brass furniture and silver inlays, and general moderate overall wear. The stock is also fine and has some small chips along the edges, flash wear at the breech, mild scrapes and dings, and some faint cracks and repairs. Mechanically fine.



Customer Product Questions

There are currently no customer product questions on this lot

    Related Items

    Lot #138: Flintlock American Long Rifle

    Lot #116: H. Gibbs Lancaster Smoothbore Flintlock American Long Rifle

    Lot #159: Galbraith Percussion American Long Rifle

    Lot #119: H. Pratt Signed American Percussion Long Rifle

    Lot #1130: William M. Sheetz Signed Percussion American Long Rifle

    Lot #158: Engraved Smoothbore Percussion American Long Rifle