OUTSTANDING AND RARE JOHN ARMSTRONG KENTUCKY PISTOL BELIEVED TO BE THE ONLY SIGNED ARMSTRONG PISTOL IN EXISTENCE.

SN NSN. Armstrong rifles have commanded the highest price of the “golden age” Kentucky’s and this pistol, the only one currently known by this fine maker, is outstanding. This pistol is an example of Armstrong at his best. Pierced brass sideplate and large engraved silver buttplate greatly enhance the design and beauty of this piece. Curly maple stock is very handsome with relief border carving on both sides. All the mountings are engraved by Armstrong in the finest manner. Large scroll engraved inlay of silver extends down the stock from both sides of the bbl tang. “This trademark” of Armstrong is also found on most of his rifles. Overall length is 13-1/8″ and bbl is 7-7/8″ oct to rnd .50 Cal smooth and is signed in script “John Armstrong”. Bedford Style orig flintlock is also signed in script “John Armstrong”. Stock is of the finest curly maple with relief carved tear drops to the rear of the lock and sideplate panels. Silver inlay running rearward from the bbl tang is masterfully engraved. 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.” This very pistol is pictured on pgs. 22-23 in The Samuel E. Dyke Collection of Kentucky Pistols printed in 1964. It is interesting to note Sam Dyke has stated he purchased this pistol in 1957 from Joe Kindig Jr. in York, PA for $400. In a letter to Tom Seymour dated July of 1977 Sam Dyke states the $400 he paid Joe Kindig was a top price at that time and that “this pistol has been talked more about and photoed more than any pistol I ever owned”. This very pistol is pictured on p. 96 plate number 90 of The Pennsylvania Kentucky Rifle by Henry Kauffman. PROVENANCE: Ex Joe Kindig Jr., Samuel E. Dyke and Tom Seymour Collections. Frank Sujansky Collection. CONDITION: This pistol appears in excellent condition as restored. In Sam Dyke’s letter dated July 28, 1977 he indicates prior to his purchase of the pistol from Mr. Kindig there had been some expert restoration and that the restoration had been done by a top flight restorer. Upon dis-assembly there appears to have had the wood forward of the frizzen pan replaced. Also some welding on the bottom of bbl between the two bbl wedges. 4-49460 (40,000-70,000) – Lot 2369

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2014

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
	2369	$40,250.00	OUTSTANDING AND RARE JOHN ARMSTRONG KENTUCKY PISTOL BELIEVED TO BE THE ONLY SIGNED ARMSTRONG PISTOL IN EXISTENCE. SN NSN. Armstrong rifles have commanded the highest price of the “golden age” Kentucky’s and this pistol, the only one currently known by this fine maker, is outstanding. This pistol is an example of Armstrong at his best. Pierced brass sideplate and large engraved silver buttplate greatly enhance the design and beauty of this piece. Curly maple stock is very handsome with relief border carving on both sides. All the mountings are engraved by Armstrong in the finest manner. Large scroll engraved inlay of silver extends down the stock from both sides of the bbl tang. “This trademark” of Armstrong is also found on most of his rifles. Overall length is 13-1/8″ and bbl is 7-7/8″ oct to rnd .50 Cal smooth and is signed in script “John Armstrong”. Bedford Style orig flintlock is also signed in script “John Armstrong”. Stock is of the finest curly maple with relief carved tear drops to the rear of the lock and sideplate panels. Silver inlay running rearward from the bbl tang is masterfully engraved. 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.” This very pistol is pictured on pgs. 22-23 in The Samuel E. Dyke Collection of Kentucky Pistols printed in 1964. It is interesting to note Sam Dyke has stated he purchased this pistol in 1957 from Joe Kindig Jr. in York, PA for $400. In a letter to Tom Seymour dated July of 1977 Sam Dyke states the $400 he paid Joe Kindig was a top price at that time and that “this pistol has been talked more about and photoed more than any pistol I ever owned”. This very pistol is pictured on p. 96 plate number 90 of The Pennsylvania Kentucky Rifle by Henry Kauffman. PROVENANCE: Ex Joe Kindig Jr., Samuel E. Dyke and Tom Seymour Collections. Frank Sujansky Collection. CONDITION: This pistol appears in excellent condition as restored. In Sam Dyke’s letter dated July 28, 1977 he indicates prior to his purchase of the pistol from Mr. Kindig there had been some expert restoration and that the restoration had been done by a top flight restorer. Upon dis-assembly there appears to have had the wood forward of the frizzen pan replaced. Also some welding on the bottom of bbl between the two bbl wedges. 4-49460 (40,000-70,000) – Lot 2369 Auction: Firearms - Spring 2014 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 AND RARE JOHN ARMSTRONG KENTUCKY PISTOL BELIEVED TO BE THE ONLY SIGNED ARMSTRONG PISTOL IN EXISTENCE.