Nicholas Beyer Signed, Engraved, and Carved Golden Age Flintlock Lebanon School Long Rifle with Distinctive Bird Patch Box Nicholas Beyer (c.1780-1850) of Annville, Pennsylvania, apprenticed under famed maker J. P. Beck of Lebanon. The Kentucky Rifle Foundation calls him "one of the grand masters of the late golden age of flintlock rifle building. His patch boxes often feature a bird finial and his general style suggests strong 'Pennsylvania Dutch' folk influence. Beyer rifles are in some of today’s best collections. . .Many of his barrels are inscribed boldly on the top facet 'N. Beyer.'" This example fits that description with its bird finial and "N Beyer" signed barrel. It features a blade front sight, banded transition on the barrel from octagon to round, plain trigger, an early 19th century style lock with roller on the frizzen spring and basic engraving patterns, and curly maple stock with dramatic flame/striped figure throughout, Roman nose profile, molding along the forend, swirl carving at the ramrod entry pipe and wrist, tear drop flats, Rococo style raised relief scroll carving on the top of the wrist and left side of the butt, a hunter's star inlay on the cheekpiece, and brass furniture, including a thumb plate among the carving on the wrist and a Lebanon School style side plate. The rifle shown by Kindig on page 237 of "The Kentucky Rifle in Its Golden Age" is similar in overall ornamentation. Other rifles by Beyer are pictured in many books on American long rifles. One distinctive feature of this rifle is that the bird's neck is curved so the beak faces away from the patch box; most examples are curved the opposite direction. Manufacturer: Kentucky Model: Flintlock BBL: 47 inch part octagon smoothbore Stock: maple Gauge: 58 Finish: brown Grips: Serial Number: NSN Class: Antique Condition: Good as reconverted back to flintlock. The lock has even, artificially aged, dark brown patina and some bright oxidation. The barrel has a dark brown patina on the balance and minor oxidation and pitting. The brass has a darkened aged patina. The stock is fair and has some old repairs at the front section of the forend, chipping and slivers absent form the forend edges, typical material absent near the breech, minor cracks, and fairly crisp carving. Many of these fine rifles were used for decades by multiple generations of the same family and were repaired as necessary. The lock functions fine. This is an attractive example of a Golden Age American long rifle by one of Pennsylvania's best gunmakers.

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by Rock Island Auction Company
December 3, 2016 9:00 AM CST
7819 42nd Street West
Rock Island, IL, US 61201

Rock Island Auction Company

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