HENRY HUMBERGER (THORN TOWNSHIP, PERRY COUNTY, OHIO) PERCUSSION KENTUCKY RIFLE.

HENRY HUMBERGER (THORN TOWNSHIP, PERRY COUNTY, OHIO) PERCUSSION KENTUCKY RIFLE. SN NSN. Cal. 36. 7-Groove rifling. 41″ Octagon barrel fitted with semi-buck horn standing rear sight, and German silver blade front, is engraved “H * Humberger” on top flat behind sight, with sunburst stamped decoration behind. Flat lock and flat-faced percussion hammer, are engraved with scrolled acanthus. Lock has been converted from flint, but it is not apparent that this bbl was anything other than percussion with drum and nipple. Trigger plate is fitted with set triggers. Very finely figured curly maple full length stock with brass nose piece, ramrod pipes, trigger guard, crescent butt, and nicely detailed scrolled and engraved sideplate, also has German silver decoration of punch dot outlined ellipse at top of grip, crescent moon above molded right hand cheekpiece, and six very fine German silver inlays of fish, along bbl. Stock attaches to bbl with broad side nails with large rectangular German silver heads. Ramrod is of hickory with brass tip. Very fine and ornate patchbox has large open scroll pierced sideplates, flanking domed spring loaded rectangular cover. Engraving is very nicely cut. Gardner in SMALL ARMS MAKERS relates that Henry Humberger was born in 1811 and was the finest workman of the three Humberger gunsmiths. In 1832, father and the two sons came up with a design for a double action pepperbox pistol. Many people visited the shop to watch the work in progress of this very interesting design. Col. Colt heard of the design, and sent one of his workman out to buy one. It didn’t take Col. Colt long to apply for a patent. During a law suit brought between Colt and Allen for patent infringements on pepperbox revolvers, the two Humberger brothers were witnesses. The result was that as Colt had first applied for the patent, it belonged to him, even though it was proven that Henry Humberger was the true inventor of the design. Mr. Howard’s notes indicate that he acquired this item from Jackson Arms in 1987. PROVENANCE: Robert Howard Estate Collection. CONDITION: Good. Bbl is a fine even brown patina, engraving is strong. Lock is also brown patina with rear of bbl and top of lock showing considerable fairly deep pitting. A new drum and nipple have been fitted. Stock exudes a warm glow from hand worn patina over what appears to be mostly orig finish. Area at top above lock and top front have been expertly repaired. Brass is a pleasing golden brown. Bore is fine, strong rifling throughout, with some slight pitting. Lock and trigger are crisp. 4-45423 MGM117 (4,000-7,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2012

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
	1705	$6,325.00	HENRY HUMBERGER (THORN TOWNSHIP, PERRY COUNTY, OHIO) PERCUSSION KENTUCKY RIFLE. SN NSN. Cal. 36. 7-Groove rifling. 41″ Octagon barrel fitted with semi-buck horn standing rear sight, and German silver blade front, is engraved “H * Humberger” on top flat behind sight, with sunburst stamped decoration behind. Flat lock and flat-faced percussion hammer, are engraved with scrolled acanthus. Lock has been converted from flint, but it is not apparent that this bbl was anything other than percussion with drum and nipple. Trigger plate is fitted with set triggers. Very finely figured curly maple full length stock with brass nose piece, ramrod pipes, trigger guard, crescent butt, and nicely detailed scrolled and engraved sideplate, also has German silver decoration of punch dot outlined ellipse at top of grip, crescent moon above molded right hand cheekpiece, and six very fine German silver inlays of fish, along bbl. Stock attaches to bbl with broad side nails with large rectangular German silver heads. Ramrod is of hickory with brass tip. Very fine and ornate patchbox has large open scroll pierced sideplates, flanking domed spring loaded rectangular cover. Engraving is very nicely cut. Gardner in SMALL ARMS MAKERS relates that Henry Humberger was born in 1811 and was the finest workman of the three Humberger gunsmiths. In 1832, father and the two sons came up with a design for a double action pepperbox pistol. Many people visited the shop to watch the work in progress of this very interesting design. Col. Colt heard of the design, and sent one of his workman out to buy one. It didn’t take Col. Colt long to apply for a patent. During a law suit brought between Colt and Allen for patent infringements on pepperbox revolvers, the two Humberger brothers were witnesses. The result was that as Colt had first applied for the patent, it belonged to him, even though it was proven that Henry Humberger was the true inventor of the design. Mr. Howard’s notes indicate that he acquired this item from Jackson Arms in 1987. PROVENANCE: Robert Howard Estate Collection. CONDITION: Good. Bbl is a fine even brown patina, engraving is strong. Lock is also brown patina with rear of bbl and top of lock showing considerable fairly deep pitting. A new drum and nipple have been fitted. Stock exudes a warm glow from hand worn patina over what appears to be mostly orig finish. Area at top above lock and top front have been expertly repaired. Brass is a pleasing golden brown. Bore is fine, strong rifling throughout, with some slight pitting. Lock and trigger are crisp. 4-45423 MGM117 (4,000-7,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2012 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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