KENTUCKY RIFLES AT AFFORDABLE PRICES

SALE PENDING Signed "J. * U. Stewart. 1811" James Stewart, Jefferson County, Kentucky, ca 1811

At present this is the only signed James Stewart rifle known. James apprenticed with Michael Humble in 1782 in Lincoln County, Kentucky. James joined Capt. William Harrod's Company in 1780 from Jefferson and Shelby Counties. He later moved and died in Illinois. This rifle is rather plain but indicative of early Kentucky manufacture in both architecture and decoration. The wrought iron trigger guard was replaced during its period of use. The 44.5" rifled barrel is about .45 cal and is its original length. Minor wood replacement at the muzzle and in front of the lock. The lock is a well done reconversion.

The rifle is in good condition with old untouched surfaces. The 4-petal flower patchbox is reminiscent of those on rifles of Rockingham County, Virginia from where many Kentucky gunsmiths came including the Humble's. The rarity of this example increases its desirability especially for those who collect Kentucky-made rifles.

SALE PENDING

SALE PENDING Unsigned Possibly Charles Spitzer, New Market, Virginia ca 1850

Though unsigned this rifle has much in common with the signed rifles of Charles Spitzer. It also could be by his brother Willaim Spitzer or another brother the infamous Moses Augustus "Gus" Spitzer of the Donner party. Whoever made the rfile was in the Lower Shenandoah Valley and was well acquainted with the Spitzer and Grandstaff style. The rifled barrel is 39" and about .38 cal. It has never been rebreeched.

The patchbox is the Spitzer style but the finial is unusual for them as is the lock bolt plate. The butt stock architecture, forestock inlays, pointing hand, wide rear sight and lid release are all characteristics that point to the Spitzer family of gunsmiths. There is no restoration on the rifle. There is a sliver of wood missing along the forestock. The surface is all original with a pleasing dark patina. This is a nice rifle from an important Shenadoah Valley gunsmithing family with no apologies.

SALE PENDING

SALE PENDING Signed John C Hawken, Hagerstown, Maryland ca 1840

This rifle was made by John Christian Hawken in the 1840's after he took over his brother William's shop on Jonathan Street in Hagerstown. John C. was born in 1793 and worked with Christian and William. Brothers Samuel and Jacob moved to St. Louis and became gunsmith legends there. This example is in nice old condition with old surfaces. The forestock is all original but was somewhat abused in the day showing much wear though now colored in. The fore stock shows nice molding; a family tradition. The rifled barrel is 40.5" and about .44 cal. It has never been rebreeched.

The patchbox is the style the Hawken's used but slightly less refined and with no engraving. The restored lid is attached with brass rivets as was common in that period. Restoration is minimal and all mounts, lock, and inlays are orginal to the rifle. This is a fine example of his work wich is quite rare. David Condon had a similar example wich was sold (at a much higher price).

SALE PENDING $4,485.00

PRICE REDUCED Signed " C B " Christian Beck III, Connersville, Indiana ca 1835

Christian Beck III, who trained in John Bonewitz' shop, worked in many places throughout his life. He moved from Martinsburg, (now) WV to Connersville, Indiana in 1831. His son Christian was a gunsmith there as well and Christian III may have worked with him. The rifles bares similarity in architecture to ones he made in Williamsport and Martinsburg in the late 1820's. There can be little doubt that Christian signed this rifle as the script is exactly the same as the script on his rifles of the late 1820's.

This example has a wonderful old surface and in untouched condition. The 43" rifled barrel is about .38 cal and was never rebreeched. Of interst is the unusual attachment of the lock; there are no through lock bolts only a bolt threaded into the barrel tang from the lock. This may be an Indiana detail. Also of interest is the tobacco tag pinned to the butt stock which is usually seen on eastern Tennessee rifles. Minor losses to edge of fore stock is the only apology to the condition.

Available at $1950.00 PRICE REDUCED TO $1,550.00

Thanks to Van Pitman for information on Christian Beck III

Signed J Roop, Jacob Roop, Bellefonte, "Roopsburg", Centre County, PA ca1835

This is a late example of Jacob's work in Centre County not long before he moved to Indiana in the early 1840"s. Roop is known for a large variation in his designs especially after moving to Centre County. He had a large operation in "Roopsburg" as a gunsmith, miller, and brewmaster.

The rifle is in good condition having been re-breeched during it's period of use. "BELLEFONTE" is stamped at the breech however, because it was rebreeched the first 4 letters are gone. Though not as decorative as many of his Dauphin County rifles this has the silver oval cheekpiece inlay and thumbplate and brass cheekpiece plate. His patchbox is a bit more elaborate than other Bellefonte examples. The rifled barrel is 38.5" and about .58 cal. It's likely the rifle was carried west as the larger bore would indicate. Minor wood restoration at the toe.

$2,450.00