OUTSTANDING RELIEF CARVED FLINTLOCK JOHN ARMSTRONG KENTUCKY RIFLE SIGNED ON LOCK AND BARREL.

Cal. .45. Overall 57″, 4-1/2 x 1-1/2 buttplate, 41″ full oct rifled bbl. Bbl is nicely signed “JOHN ARMSTRONG” in script on a 2-3/4 brass plate inlet into the top flat of the bbl. The engraved flint lock is also initialed “JA” in script. Armstrong’s locks had internal mechanisms as precise as a clock’s movement. Maryland’s John Armstrong is considered by most to be one of the foremost artisans of the golden age. Armstrong was the creme de la creme, creating designs emulated by rifle makers everywhere. Most of his early rifle bbls were handmade. This rifle’s large engraved brass 4-pc patchbox has 3 piercings and the door is engraved with Armstrong’s characteristic two crossing vines. Curly maple stock with pronounced comb is carved behind cheekpiece in a high relief motif of interlacing branches. Large “C” scrolls cross over the tight radius curves of the smaller bottom scrolls. Area under cheekpiece is elevated and checkered. Carving at front of cheekpiece correlates in design with butt carving. Relief carving extends forward from lock and sideplate in feather like tapered flutes where each feathered area is slightly concave. This is a characteristic Armstrong feature. Rifle is relief carved behind bbl tang with vine like designs carried over from butt carving. Relief carving to rear of rear ramrod pipe is crisp, extending 3-1/2″ from the pipe. The entire forestock molding along the ramrod channel is deep and elegantly accomplished. Armstrong’s innovative, stylish rifle features are evident on this rifle. The brass engraved sideplate patchbox and silver heart-shaped inlays inlet in the beavertails to the rear of the lock and sideplate are nearly identical to those on rifle #205 in Kindig’s “Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle in it’s Golden Age“. Large silver oval cheekpiece inlay is engraved with a classic spread eagle with shield. Armstrong was born September 5, 1772 in Adams County, PA just north of the Maryland border. He settled in Emmitsburg, Maryland where he practiced his trade. The many features Armstrong brought into being with his meticulous workmanship produced immaculate rifles. As Joe Kindig states in his book, Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle in it’s Golden Age, “John Armstrong’s workmanship is magnificent, and his designs are just about perfection. I cannot overemphasize the beauty of his rifles”. PROVENANCE: Ex-collection of Joe Kindig Jr. and ex-collection of Tom Lewis, Collection of Dr. Douglas Sirkin. CONDITION: Fine orig condition throughout. The gun shows some slight wear from usage, but all the carving is crisp and deep. The rifle is in nice attic condition throughout. Armstrong rifles with no signs of restoration are few and far between. 4-49794 RG (45,000-75,000) – Lot 1475

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Auction: Firearms - March 2015

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
	1475	$54,625.00	OUTSTANDING RELIEF CARVED FLINTLOCK JOHN ARMSTRONG KENTUCKY RIFLE SIGNED ON LOCK AND BARREL. Cal. .45. Overall 57″, 4-1/2 x 1-1/2 buttplate, 41″ full oct rifled bbl. Bbl is nicely signed “JOHN ARMSTRONG” in script on a 2-3/4 brass plate inlet into the top flat of the bbl. The engraved flint lock is also initialed “JA” in script. Armstrong’s locks had internal mechanisms as precise as a clock’s movement. Maryland’s John Armstrong is considered by most to be one of the foremost artisans of the golden age. Armstrong was the creme de la creme, creating designs emulated by rifle makers everywhere. Most of his early rifle bbls were handmade. This rifle’s large engraved brass 4-pc patchbox has 3 piercings and the door is engraved with Armstrong’s characteristic two crossing vines. Curly maple stock with pronounced comb is carved behind cheekpiece in a high relief motif of interlacing branches. Large “C” scrolls cross over the tight radius curves of the smaller bottom scrolls. Area under cheekpiece is elevated and checkered. Carving at front of cheekpiece correlates in design with butt carving. Relief carving extends forward from lock and sideplate in feather like tapered flutes where each feathered area is slightly concave. This is a characteristic Armstrong feature. Rifle is relief carved behind bbl tang with vine like designs carried over from butt carving. Relief carving to rear of rear ramrod pipe is crisp, extending 3-1/2″ from the pipe. The entire forestock molding along the ramrod channel is deep and elegantly accomplished. Armstrong’s innovative, stylish rifle features are evident on this rifle. The brass engraved sideplate patchbox and silver heart-shaped inlays inlet in the beavertails to the rear of the lock and sideplate are nearly identical to those on rifle #205 in Kindig’s “Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle in it’s Golden Age“. Large silver oval cheekpiece inlay is engraved with a classic spread eagle with shield. Armstrong was born September 5, 1772 in Adams County, PA just north of the Maryland border. He settled in Emmitsburg, Maryland where he practiced his trade. The many features Armstrong brought into being with his meticulous workmanship produced immaculate rifles. As Joe Kindig states in his book, Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle in it’s Golden Age, “John Armstrong’s workmanship is magnificent, and his designs are just about perfection. I cannot overemphasize the beauty of his rifles”. PROVENANCE: Ex-collection of Joe Kindig Jr. and ex-collection of Tom Lewis, Collection of Dr. Douglas Sirkin. CONDITION: Fine orig condition throughout. The gun shows some slight wear from usage, but all the carving is crisp and deep. The rifle is in nice attic condition throughout. Armstrong rifles with no signs of restoration are few and far between. 4-49794 RG (45,000-75,000) – Lot 1475 Click here to view provenance Auction: Firearms - March 2015 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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OUTSTANDING RELIEF CARVED FLINTLOCK JOHN ARMSTRONG KENTUCKY RIFLE SIGNED ON LOCK AND BARREL.