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AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK AMERICAN MILITARY
SHOULDER ARMS, VOL. II BY MOLLER
st
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Very Rare Documented 1806 Dated First Model Virginia Manufactory Flintlock Rifle with Rattlesnake Patch Box - NSN, 50 cal., 42 3/4 inch part octagon bbl., brown finish,
walnut stock. The First Model rifles (aka Type I rifles) were manufactured in
Richmond, Virginia, and have been recorded with dates from about
1805 to 1808. Estimates range from 200 to 333 produced for the ate militia. George Moller lists the latter figure in “American Military
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Collector’s Fact
An estimated range of only 200-333 Virginia Manufactory First Model rifles were produced for state militia.
houlder Arms, Volume II: From the 1790s to the End of the Flintlock Period” and features this rifle as his example on page 318. His discreet “GDM” collection marking is near the toe. Considerably less than 333 of these rifles remain today. This example is dated “1806” at the rear of the lock plate below “RICHMOND”. The lock plate is also marked “VIRGINIA/
Manufactory” with the latter in script at the center. The barrel has dovetailed blade and notch sights and a partial regimental marking “15” on top at the breech. It has been bored out to .50 caliber and has faint rifling. The rifle also features the correct First Model rattlesnake shaped four-piece patch box inscribed “Don’t tread” and “on me” on the side plates read looking down from above the comb. The patch box is opened via a button on the buttplate tang. The snake’s tongue is lightly carved into the stock which runs all the way to the muzzle and has simple iron furniture, a “P” behind the trigger guard, a low comb, and a shallow cheek rest with light incised line at the edge. CONDITION: Good as reconverted to flintlock configuration with dark brown patina and applied finish on the barrel, moderate pitting concentrated at the breech, slight gap to the pan, dark blue-brown appearance on the lock along with mild pitting and faint central markings, blend of dark brown patina and applied finish on most of the furniture, lighter gray patina on the patch box, and some general mild pitting. The refinished/restored stock has cracks, chips, and slivers absent and mild overall wear. The lock does not hold half-cock but otherwise functions. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 8,500 - 13,000
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Very Scarce Documented Pennsylvania Contract
Rifle - Serial no. 4, 56 cal., 33 1/4 inch part octagon bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. This rifle is pictured and discussed on pages 302-304 of “American Military Shoulder Arms, Volume
II: From the 1790s to the End of the Flintlock Period” by George Moller and has his
small “GDM” collection mark by the toe. He states it “was one of 100 procured
by Pennsylvania as a result of a July 14, 1814, order of the governor. Its salient
features include a one-third octagonal barrel and Deringer’s stylized eagle’s
head patch box finial.” It has a bayonet stud on the bottom near the muzzle for
a socket bayonet, a round brass blade front sight, notch rear sight, “H. DERING/
PHILA” on top of the barrel, “CP 4” and sunken “P” marks on the upper left at the
breech, “DERINGER/PHILA” at the center of the lock, brass furniture, “V CP 4” on
the left stock flat, “IP” behind the trigger guard tang, an iron ramrod marked “4”,
and worm and vent pick in the patch box.
CONDITION: Very good with dark gray patina and mild pitting on the lock and
barrel, enlarged vent, attractive aged patina on the brass, smooth re-oiled finish on the lightly sanded stock, general minor scratches and dings, a thin crack on the left stock flat, and attractive appearance overall. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The George Moller Collection.
Estimate: 5,000 - 8,000
Henry Deringer Flintlock
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK AMERICAN MILITARY SHOULDER ARMS, VOL. II BY MOLLER
Collector’s Fact
According to author George Moller, this rare rifle is one of only 100 acquired by Pennsylvania by order of the governor.
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