KENTUCKY RIFLES AT AFFORDABLE PRICES

Unsigned Abraham Angstat, Orwigsburg, then Berks County, Pennsylvania ca 1825

Abraham Angstat was born in Maxatawny Township in 1784. He moved to Orwigsburg soon after learning his trade from Angstat relatives ie. Adam & Joseph. In the late 1830's he moved to Wayne County, Indiana. His rifles are easily identified as in the Angstat style; but Abraham chose a higher combed architecture.

This example has the neatest horse head patchbox similar to ones used by Henry Mauger. The stock retains its reddish varnish finish; the dents and scratches have not been colored leaving it in a marvelous state of preservation. The lock is original to the rifle and was converted to percussion using an altered hammer. The new owner should consider a professional reconversion. The original length barrel is 41 inches with a large bore. The forestock cracked near the rear ramrod pipe and a piece of wood was restored on both sides; these repairs could be done a little better. The forestock is all original except for these minor pieces. A brass worm remains on the ramrod which is probably original to the rifle.

Available at $4,850.00

PRICE REDUCED Signed A BEARDEN, Alfred Bearden, Lincoln County, TN ca 1840

The Bearden, Smith, and Compton familes came to the Lincoln County area from South Carolina. All were gunsmiths and intermarried. The Beardens were the most prolific with only one signed Franklin Smith rifle and one BH Compton (whale box) rifle known. This example is rare because it is one of the few half-stock southern rifles in original flintlock condition. The lock is marked J Steatham.

The 39 inch rifled barrel is about .38 cal. The curly maple appears to be quite good however, the wonderful dark patina obscures most of it. The iron under rib of the barrel has a short section (about 3 inches long) in front of the cap that is different than the remainder of the rib. I beleive it was made this way; it has never been a fullstock rifle. The ramrod was broken and repaired with a section of a bamboo fly rod. It has its original worm intact. Picture of Alfred off ALR owned by Wayne Elliott.

Available at $4250.00 PRICE REDUCED TO $3500.00 11/24

signed John M.Camant Wellsburgh, John McCamant, Wellsburgh, WV ca 1845

John McCamant worked in Wellsburgh, West Virginia as a gunsmith and brass founder. He was the son of James McCamant of Washington, PA, Wellsburgh, WV, and Ohio. John and his wife Ruth Prather moved to Illinois in 1854.

This half-stock rifle has a premium curly maple stock with its original finish. The brass mounts are well made and nicely formed. Of interest is the iron side plate opposite the back action lock (probably made by McCamant) rather than brass as he was a brass founder. The 37 inch barrel is about .58 cal sufficient for large game. Iron repairs appear under the lock on both sides.

Available at $975.00

Curly Ash Mountain Rifle, North Carolina ca 1850

Curly ash is rarely used because it is difficult to work but very durable. The grain is beautiful especially if old untouched surfaces are intact as on this example. Though this trigger gaurd is often seen on eastern Tennessee rifles I believe this rifle was made in North Carolina, Middle Tennessee, or Kentucky. The style of triggers and pointed barrel tang may help identify the region of origin. The 44.5 inch rifled barrel is about .40 cal. Originally it had brass plates at the breech nearest the drum and nipple to protect from corrosion.

Iron straps were inlet on both sides of the tang along the wrist to repair a break in period. The fore arm shows extensive saddle wear. The set triggers are very well made and attractive. The combination of iron, brass, and silver mounts is unusual. This rifle, though in well used condition, has an appeal because of the many unusual characteristics and its suface quality. It speaks of the need to maintain a tool neccesary for life in the back country.

Available at $1,950.00

PRICE REDUCED Signed D Sheets, Daniel Hoover Sheets, Union, OH ca 1840

This rifle is signed in script on the barrel D Sheets with a decorative motif after the signature. Daniel was the son of Martin Sheets who came to Union in 1808 from Randolph County, North Carolina. The barrel is 42" and about .38 cal. it has never been cut down or rebreeched. The plain maple stock is in original condition with no losses or repairs; the original surface survives and is near perfect.

I believe the two pieces of brass , one between the hammer and tang, the other in front of the lock are original to the stock placed there by Daniel to prevent the corrosive action of the percussion caps. The lock is original to the rifle and signed J G Stutsman Dayton Ohio; it is in good working condition. It is an attractive rifle in original condition with pleasing architecture.

Available at $1950.00 reduced to $1450.00 6/24