3454

EARLY FLINTLOCK SMOOTH RIFLE, BARREL INITIALED

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:900.00 USD Estimated At:1,800.00 - 3,500.00 USD
EARLY FLINTLOCK SMOOTH RIFLE, BARREL INITIALED

“SB”. Cal. 50 smooth rifle. NSN. Bbl. 44", initialed “SB” & is attributed to Samuel Baum, New Berlin. Overall length 59 3/4". Stock carved forward & back of the cheekpiece. In addition to the early lock, the curled trigger is also very early. This gun is what is called a “smooth rifle”, gun makers records show they made rifles, fowlers & smooth rifles. Smooth rifles were all purpose guns that could be used to shoot either a ball or shot. Fowlers were thin walled bbls. that could not shoot a lead ball & rifles could shoot only balls but were more accurate. A previous owner (in period) has put his initials on each side of the stock, which would normally not detract from the guns value. This is a very interesting, early working mans gun, which could date back close to the turn of the century. CONDITION: appears to be clean & solid throughout. PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. John Persing. (01-19567/RG). ANTIQUE. $1,800-3,500.