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RELIEF CARVED DAUPHIN COUNTY RIFLE SIGNED BY "Pe. BERRY".

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:9,000.00 USD Estimated At:18,000.00 - 35,000.00 USD
RELIEF CARVED DAUPHIN COUNTY RIFLE SIGNED BY  Pe. BERRY .
PLEASE NOTE (10-10-13): Trigger guard appears to be replaced or repaired. NSN. 48-1/2" oct to round 54 Cal. smooth bbl signed "Pe. Berry". Four piece brass patchbox is engraved with three piercings and is nearly identical to rifle number 112 in Kindig's book Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle in its Golden Age. Lid of the patchbox is not engraved. Patchbox head is fastened to the stock by three screws that have Berry's characteristic high rounded surface instead of flat. Gun is relief carved to the rear of the cheekpiece with C scrolls and a flower design. Peter Berry is known to have carved beautiful designs of C scrolls and flowers on many of his guns, but no two are carved alike. The gun is relief carved to the rear of the bbl tang and to the rear of the ramrod pipe. Berry's characteristic molded lines run from the lock and sideplate to the rear ramrod pipe. Trigger guard, sideplate, and cheekpiece pick holder are also similar to Kindig's rifle number 112. Brass toe plate is 5-5/8" long and is engraved, the stock is curly maple. Peter Berry is listed in the tax lists for Heidelberg Township, Dauphin County, in the years 1786-1789. Peter Berry was a fine maker of long, slender guns with beautiful patchboxes and is considered to be a grand gunsmith. This very gun is pictured on p. 46 of the KRA book "Kentucky Rifles and Pistols 1750-1850". Exhibition: 1971 York County, Pennsylvania Historical Society Exhibition. PROVENANCE: See Kentucky Rifles and Pistols 1750-1850, 1976, by KRA, p. 46. Charles F. Beck and Samuel Dyke Collections. Collection of Dr. Douglas Sirkin. CONDITION: Bbl appears to have been shortened at the breech end. Patchbox release needs adjustment. Relief carving behind the cheek appears to have been refreshed. Its appearance is not unlike gun number 112 pictured in Kindig. Lock has been reconverted. Repaired old wrist.   4-49814 RG37