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VERY RARE AND FINE JACOB ALBRIGHT ATTRIBUTED

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:7,500.00 USD Estimated At:15,000.00 - 20,000.00 USD
VERY RARE AND FINE JACOB ALBRIGHT ATTRIBUTED
SWIVEL BREECH FLINTLOCK RIFLE. Cal. 42. NSN. Bbl. 39". Though unsigned, this rifle is easily attributed & has nearly identical patchbox as shown in Kindig page 192 on signed Jacob Albright rifle, who worked in Northumberland County, circa 1800. This swivel breech rifle also has the prominent Roman nose butt stock comb seen on Kindig rifle and typical of the Bethlehem school. This rifle shows same engraving style on Kindig patchbox but more elaborate. There is little doubt both guns are by the same maker. Thank you, Steve Hench, for instantly identifying patchbox as Albright. Swivel breech flintlock rifles of the Golden age by any maker are extremely rare as noted by copy of 1964 Joe Kindig letter linked here & this is the only attributed Albright we are aware. 39” Oct. bbls. which are rotated by pulling forward section of 2 piece triggerguard which releases & locks mechanism, silver inset front sights, inset carved notch rear sights. Lock & hammer engraved en suite as is breech, mounted on beautiful tiger striped maple. Patchbox has 9 piercings, 8 silver inlays including engraved silver eagle above cheekpiece. Below cheekpiece is engraved brass vent pick holder, 8” border engraved toe plate. Original wood ramrod has threaded iron tip. This is a beautiful Bethlehem school rifle, w/ few known swivel breeches by any maker fresh to market from local estate. CONDITION: fine overall, appears original in every regard w/ no apparent restoration, bbls. & lock have smooth dark iron patina, brass was cleaned a long time ago, now w/ light mustard patina. Patchbox lid has discoloration from corrosion around edges & internal latch spring is rusted, patchbox mortise still filled w/ apparent corrosive lubricant. Stock has a hand worn patina w/ some loss of striping on the right side of butt, & a few small scuffs. Mechanically fine including swivel mechanism. Bores have crisp bright rifling, one bbl. has the 6 lands & grooves cut straight w/ no twist, the other w/ twist. ADDITIONAL NOTE: Two major collectors of Abraham Angstadt have informed us that the rifle is NOT Albright but Angstadt. Amazingly that the comparison of patchboxes are virtually identical by both makers. The sideplate & insert silver eagle among other features are again virtually identical to signed Angstadt, pictures Merrill Lindsay's "The Kentucky Rifle". (01-20041/JS). ANTIQUE. $15,000-20,000.