RELIEF CARVED YORK COUNTY RIFLE SIGNED GEORGE SHREYER.

RELIEF CARVED YORK COUNTY RIFLE SIGNED GEORGE SHREYER. SN NSN. This rifle has a 43″ full oct 51 Cal. smooth bbl signed “G. Shreyer” in script. Not only did George Schroyer spell his name different ways on gun bbls (Scheyer, Schreyer, Schryer, Shroyer, Shyer, and Schroyer), but the script is often very illegible. Four piece brass patchbox is engraved with one piercing in the shape of a heart in the finial. The heart-shaped piercing was used on several of Schroyer’s rifles. Fleur-de-lis floral carving that Kindig considers almost a “signature” of G. Schroyer is normally found only behind the bbl tang or rear ramrod ferrule. This piece is distinguished by the use of this design relief carved on the cheekside of the buttstock instead of the usual volutes and scrolls, Schroyer has undertaken the difficult task of putting two of his characteristic fleur-de-lis on the stock. These bi-laterally symmetrical designs do not lend themselves easily to use in a space where asymmetrical designs are called for, but Schroyer has managed this problem reasonably well. This is the only Schroyer we have seen using the floral carving this extensively in the carving, a very nice feature. The floral carving behind the cheek is nicely surrounded by relief wave patterns. Fleur-de-lis carving behind the rear ramrod entrance ferrule, has almost worn smooth from hard use. There is an interesting relief carved sunburst design feature forward of the lock and sideplate mortise. As is characteristic of Schroyer guns, this piece has a very high, well defined comb with the wrist running down toward the butt, and there is a little carving on both sides of the stock accentuating the high comb. The stock is curly maple, but without the accentuated curl found in later guns. Cheekpiece inlay is a brass circle 1-1/2″ in diameter engraved with an eight-pointed brass star, the center of which appears to be a round, clear, glass button. Heavy beveled brass sideplate is of the characteristic Schroyer design. Rifle is unusual in that it has double set triggers. George Schroyer moved to Hanover about the beginning of the Revolutionary War. He is found in the 1783 Hanover tax records. Records dated 1793 identify Schroyer as a gunsmith and he is listed as a gunsmith in Hanover as late as 1813. George Schroyer made beautiful Kentucky rifles, before, during, and right after the Revolutionary War. Architecturally, his guns are quite superior. This very gun is illustrated in George Shumway’s George Schreyer, Sr. and Jr., Gunmakers of Hanover, York County, Pennsylvania on pp. 68-70. PROVENANCE: See George Schreyer, Sr. & Jr., Makers of Hanover, York County, Penn., by Shumway, pp. 68-70. Dr. Richard Gadler Collection. Collection of Dr. Douglas Sirkin. CONDITION: Minor stress crack front of the lock. The lock has been reconverted. Patchbox release button, needs minor adjustment. 4-49766 RG39 (35,000-50,000)

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
	2348	$37,375.00	RELIEF CARVED YORK COUNTY RIFLE SIGNED GEORGE SHREYER. SN NSN. This rifle has a 43″ full oct 51 Cal. smooth bbl signed “G. Shreyer” in script. Not only did George Schroyer spell his name different ways on gun bbls (Scheyer, Schreyer, Schryer, Shroyer, Shyer, and Schroyer), but the script is often very illegible. Four piece brass patchbox is engraved with one piercing in the shape of a heart in the finial. The heart-shaped piercing was used on several of Schroyer’s rifles. Fleur-de-lis floral carving that Kindig considers almost a “signature” of G. Schroyer is normally found only behind the bbl tang or rear ramrod ferrule. This piece is distinguished by the use of this design relief carved on the cheekside of the buttstock instead of the usual volutes and scrolls, Schroyer has undertaken the difficult task of putting two of his characteristic fleur-de-lis on the stock. These bi-laterally symmetrical designs do not lend themselves easily to use in a space where asymmetrical designs are called for, but Schroyer has managed this problem reasonably well. This is the only Schroyer we have seen using the floral carving this extensively in the carving, a very nice feature. The floral carving behind the cheek is nicely surrounded by relief wave patterns. Fleur-de-lis carving behind the rear ramrod entrance ferrule, has almost worn smooth from hard use. There is an interesting relief carved sunburst design feature forward of the lock and sideplate mortise. As is characteristic of Schroyer guns, this piece has a very high, well defined comb with the wrist running down toward the butt, and there is a little carving on both sides of the stock accentuating the high comb. The stock is curly maple, but without the accentuated curl found in later guns. Cheekpiece inlay is a brass circle 1-1/2″ in diameter engraved with an eight-pointed brass star, the center of which appears to be a round, clear, glass button. Heavy beveled brass sideplate is of the characteristic Schroyer design. Rifle is unusual in that it has double set triggers. George Schroyer moved to Hanover about the beginning of the Revolutionary War. He is found in the 1783 Hanover tax records. Records dated 1793 identify Schroyer as a gunsmith and he is listed as a gunsmith in Hanover as late as 1813. George Schroyer made beautiful Kentucky rifles, before, during, and right after the Revolutionary War. Architecturally, his guns are quite superior. This very gun is illustrated in George Shumway’s George Schreyer, Sr. and Jr., Gunmakers of Hanover, York County, Pennsylvania on pp. 68-70. PROVENANCE: See George Schreyer, Sr. & Jr., Makers of Hanover, York County, Penn., by Shumway, pp. 68-70. Dr. Richard Gadler Collection. Collection of Dr. Douglas Sirkin. CONDITION: Minor stress crack front of the lock. The lock has been reconverted. Patchbox release button, needs minor adjustment. 4-49766 RG39 (35,000-50,000) 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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