COMING SOON . . .

Jacob Stoudenour (1795-1863) made rifles in Rainsburg, Bedford County Pennsylvania in the early 1800s at the cusp of the percussion period in America. His rifles represent the elegant Bedford County style famous for slim long rifles with high hammers, and the locks most often made by the gunsmith - this lock is marked "JS". The barrel at the breach has a barrel maker's mark "I (j) B". This particular rifle has 13 silver inlays, outstanding relief carving, and a large brass "saddle" plate on the bottom of the stock at the holding area.
It is in excellent condition and is a real showpiece. Bedford County-made rifles of this level of excellence are hard to find and this rifle is considered one of Stoudenour's finest
60" overall with a 44" barrel .40 caliber, original percussion lock. Tiger maple stock with silver and brass hardware.

SOLD 

A fine American long rifle by Simon Miller of Hamburg, Berks County, Pennsylvania c1800. A rugged rifle with beautiful tiger maple stock and engraved four-piece patchbox. 57" overall, classic Berks County Roman nose stock. Miller consistently produced solid rifles, originally at the foot of the Blue Mountains in Berks County and later moving into Schuykill County where his later style is often referred ot as "upper Susquehanna. The rifle is shown in the book,  The Kentucky Rifle and Me, by Edith G. Cooper when it was in the Cooper collection known for its rifles in mint condition. This is one of the better examples of Miller's work and is still in mint condition with no issues.

MILLER RIFLE IS SOLD

Little is known about Joseph Clippinger, but his rifles show a competent gunsmith with creative talent. He worked in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania in 1820, moving on to New Carlisle, Ohio. Notice the unusual chip carving the full length of the forestock. The patchbox lid was repaired but overall the rifle in fine condition.

 SOLD

Rifles by Whetstone are scarce. He apprenticed to the better known John Gonter, apparently while in Hagerstown. Like many Maryland gunsmiths along the Pennsylvania border he moved to Bedford County, Pennsylvania, but by 1804 moved back to Hagerstown. This rare rifle is seen in the book, Maryland Longrifles by Hartzler and Whisker. A long 63" overall, this rifle is in excellent condition with a raised carved stock and engraved furniture. Rifled barrel, but without a patchbox.

SOLD

Andrew Kopp's Father and one of his sons were gunsmiths. Andrew's rifles show a talent for engraving which was added to his large wide patchboxes. This signed rifle is in what is called a rifle "in the black" -  a rifle that has never been polished or cleaned and one which has been allowed to take on an aged patina. The patchbox still contains the greased linen patches and the rifle shows a mellowing of the brass and silver. 58" overall, It is in very good condition with no issues.

SOLD

  This rifle is historically important in that it is only one of three long rifles made by Marine T. Wickham for the civilian market. Wickham was significant in the making of American military firearms in the early 1800s. He served as the Chief Armorer at the Harpers Ferry U.S. Armory and the U.S. Schuykill Arsenal at Philadelphia and was appointed Inspector of Arms under Tench Cox.  He developed the U.S. Contract rifle models 1812 and 1814 and made improvements to numerous muskets and the Model 1811 North pistol. His innovative method of fastening gun barrels to stocks was referred to as "Wickham's Improvement".

 The name Matthews on the barrel is assumed to be the barrel maker. The rifle is signed on both the barrel and the lock. The rifle " is in the black" and presents a unique opportunity to acquire a scarce historic rifle.

SOLD