Lot 105

John Shuler Attributed Bucks County Smoothbore Flintlock Rifle

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John Shuler Attributed Bucks County Smoothbore Flintlock Rifle

Estimate: $30,000 - $50,000

Starting Bid: $25,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
June 27, 2026 5:00 PM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

John Shuler Attributed Incised Carved Bucks County Smoothbore Flintlock American Long Rifle The American long rifle, perhaps better known as the Kentucky rifle, is the most iconic early American firearm and the first truly distinctive American weapon. They were developed in the colonial era and famously used by Patriot riflemen during the American Revolutionary War, and their popularity boomed after the war in the Kentucky rifle's "golden age" which lasted through the end of the flintlock period. Distinct regional styles or "schools" developed in sections of the new country, including several in Pennsylvania. Not all were rifled. "Smooth rifles" built in the same basic fashion as the Kentucky rifles but with smoothbore barrels, often between .45 and .54 caliber like the rifles, were also plentiful. As smoothbores, they were more adaptable than rifles and could fire round balls, birdshot, buck shot, or buck and ball loads depending on the shooter's needs. This classic Bucks County "smooth rifle" is attributed to gunmaker John Shuler based on the "fish head: design on both sides of the ramrod entry pipe finial. This has been seen on examples signed by Shuler who was active c. 1800-1817 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and then from 1817 to 1822 in Liverpool, Perry County, Pennsylvania. The octagon to round smoothbore barrel has a fixed brass blade front sight and a dovetailed notch rear sight. The lock has a grooved tail and faceted priming pan. The mounts are brass and include the noted engraved ramrod entry pipe and distinctive downward folding patchbox with floral engraving and a release under the toe plate. The Bucks County buttplate has a half-moon finial on the heel extension. The stock has fine molding along the length of the forend, incised carving at the flats and barrel tang, molding along the underside of the butt, and beautiful incised scroll carving flanking the cheekpiece.

Manufacturer: American

Model: Flintlock

BBL: 47 1/8 inch part octagon

Stock: curly maple

Gauge: 48

Finish: bright/brass

Serial NumberNSN

Class: Antique

  • Provenance: The Henry Bishop Collection
  • Condition: Very fine overall. Noted collector and Henry Bishop noted this rifle was "original in all respects" aside from the repaired trigger guard. The barrel and lock display mottled gray and brown patina and mild pitting. The brass displays attractive aged patina and crisp engraving. The stock featured crisp molding and incised carving and nice figure. Wear on the metal and wood is generally limited to minor dings and scratches and a few thin cracks in the stock. Mechanically functions. Overall, this is a beautiful early 19th century Bucks County "smooth rifle".

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000