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Distinctive and Attractive Early American Firearm
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE MAY 2004 ISSUE OF MUZZLE BLASTS
The brass barrel rifle is dated 1771 and is one of the oldest
American firearms with a hinged patch box which suggests this
gun is as well. The long barrel is octagon to hexadecagon to round in
profile with a girdle at the transition to round and has a hooked
breech similar to high end European sporting guns of the era and
is equipped with blade and notch sights like a rifle. As noted before,
the lock is an English export lock with scroll engraving. The furniture is all
brass and is general unembellished though the patch box finial has scalloped
edges and some light engraving. The stock has nice moulding along the
ramrod channel, some “track line” notches on the bottom ahead of the lock,
traces of carving at the ramrod entry pipe, tear drop flats, beavertail and fan carving at the barrel tang, nice carving at the front of the comb, a floral pattern along the bottom of the butt, light carving and “trackline” notches at the patch box finial, additional “tracklines” on the edges of the butt and the cheekpiece, the noted unusual flower pot and flowers raised relief carving behind the cheekpiece, and a line and notch pattern along the bottom of the butt from the trigger guard tail to the toe of the buttplate. The sideplate is inscribed “A Moode Sptr 15th 1789.” No documentation directly related to the identity of Moode is known.
CONDITION: Fine as professionally restored including reconversion
to flintlock and a replacement front sight and forend cap. The barrel exhibits
a smooth blend of applied brown finish and patina and has some pitting/stippling at the
breech. The lock exhibits a dark plum colored patina and finish that are well-blended. The brass has natural aged patina. The stock has distinct carving on the butt and more worn carving elsewhere, including the ramrod entry pipe where only traces remain. There are some general dings and scratches, discreet repairs, nice flame figure, and attractive finish throughout. Mechanically fine. This is definitely a very distinctive and attractive early American firearm.
Estimate: 55,000 - 80,000
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