OUTSTANDING & IMPORTANT RELIEF CARVED PERCUSSION RIFLE BY JOHN ARMSTRONG, ONE OF THE FINEST EXTANT.

OUTSTANDING & IMPORTANT RELIEF CARVED PERCUSSION RIFLE BY JOHN ARMSTRONG, ONE OF THE FINEST EXTANT. SN NSN. Rifle has a 41-3/4″ full oct 44 Cal. rifled bbl signed in script “John Armstrong”. Bbl is signed on a brass plate inlet into the top bbl flat. Four piece patchbox has three piercings and is finely and masterfully engraved throughout. Sideplate is also engraved and fastened by a small screw at its rear. Toe plate is nicely engraved with a small button release installed to open the patchbox. The stock, is decorated with twelve beautifully engraved silver inlays, eight of them forming the bbl key escutcheons. The two farthest rearward, are eight-pointed stars. Bbl keys are of brass. Oval silver inlay is set behind the bbl tang and two heart-shaped silver inlays are inlet in the teardrop carving behind the lock and sideplates. Relief carving on the cheekside of the butt is in Armstrong’s finest pattern and is beautifully executed with C scrolls and rococo carving present ahead of and behind the cheekpiece. There is a basket weave design in relief under the cheekpiece and a 1-3/4″ silver inlay engraved with an American eagle on the cheekpiece. Relief carving is high and distinct at the bbl tang and around the lock and sideplate mortises extending about 4-1/2″ forward on each side. Fleur-de-lis carving at the rear entrance pipe flows into the raised forend paneling that extends to the nosecap on both sides. Lock is nicely signed “J.A.” for John Armstrong. One of the finest example extant of the workmanship of this Golden Age, the rifle has survived in its original state and appears to have been little used. Of considerable interest is that this rifle is in percussion which is believed to be the original ignition system. This is quite possibly, the only known example of Armstrong’s work in this system, and probably the latest example of his workmanship. Rifle is not unlike rifle number 208 in Kindig’s Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle in its Golden Age. John Armstrong was a gunsmith in Emmitsburg in 1808. Kindig states Armstrong was a fine gunsmith. He was a very good carver, and he made beautiful inlays and large patchboxes. His engraving was very good. He was one of the makers who developed a design and made many guns practically the same, he was a master engraver in both design and execution. John Armstrong’s workmanship is magnificent, and his designs are just about perfection. This remains one of the most collectible and desirable of the guns of this period. PROVENANCE: See Collection Catalog, 1973, by Locke, p. 484; see Man at Arms, Alan S. Kelley Advertisement. William M. Lock, Alan Kelley, Thomas Wibberly, Richard Zeschke and Ray Brown Collections. Collection of Dr. Douglas Sirkin. CONDITION: This rifle is in outstanding original condition throughout with no visible imperfections. 4-49826 RG42 (75,000-125,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2013

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2345	$120,750.00	OUTSTANDING & IMPORTANT RELIEF CARVED PERCUSSION RIFLE BY JOHN ARMSTRONG, ONE OF THE FINEST EXTANT. SN NSN. Rifle has a 41-3/4″ full oct 44 Cal. rifled bbl signed in script “John Armstrong”. Bbl is signed on a brass plate inlet into the top bbl flat. Four piece patchbox has three piercings and is finely and masterfully engraved throughout. Sideplate is also engraved and fastened by a small screw at its rear. Toe plate is nicely engraved with a small button release installed to open the patchbox. The stock, is decorated with twelve beautifully engraved silver inlays, eight of them forming the bbl key escutcheons. The two farthest rearward, are eight-pointed stars. Bbl keys are of brass. Oval silver inlay is set behind the bbl tang and two heart-shaped silver inlays are inlet in the teardrop carving behind the lock and sideplates. Relief carving on the cheekside of the butt is in Armstrong’s finest pattern and is beautifully executed with C scrolls and rococo carving present ahead of and behind the cheekpiece. There is a basket weave design in relief under the cheekpiece and a 1-3/4″ silver inlay engraved with an American eagle on the cheekpiece. Relief carving is high and distinct at the bbl tang and around the lock and sideplate mortises extending about 4-1/2″ forward on each side. Fleur-de-lis carving at the rear entrance pipe flows into the raised forend paneling that extends to the nosecap on both sides. Lock is nicely signed “J.A.” for John Armstrong. One of the finest example extant of the workmanship of this Golden Age, the rifle has survived in its original state and appears to have been little used. Of considerable interest is that this rifle is in percussion which is believed to be the original ignition system. This is quite possibly, the only known example of Armstrong’s work in this system, and probably the latest example of his workmanship. Rifle is not unlike rifle number 208 in Kindig’s Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle in its Golden Age. John Armstrong was a gunsmith in Emmitsburg in 1808. Kindig states Armstrong was a fine gunsmith. He was a very good carver, and he made beautiful inlays and large patchboxes. His engraving was very good. He was one of the makers who developed a design and made many guns practically the same, he was a master engraver in both design and execution. John Armstrong’s workmanship is magnificent, and his designs are just about perfection. This remains one of the most collectible and desirable of the guns of this period. PROVENANCE: See Collection Catalog, 1973, by Locke, p. 484; see Man at Arms, Alan S. Kelley Advertisement. William M. Lock, Alan Kelley, Thomas Wibberly, Richard Zeschke and Ray Brown Collections. Collection of Dr. Douglas Sirkin. CONDITION: This rifle is in outstanding original condition throughout with no visible imperfections. 4-49826 RG42 (75,000-125,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2013 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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