Lot 160

Red Bonewitz Smoothbore Flintlock American Long Rifle

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Red Bonewitz Smoothbore Flintlock American Long Rifle

Estimate: $16,000 - $25,000

Starting Bid: $14,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 21, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Relief Carved "Red Bonewitz" Golden Age Smoothbore Flintlock American Long Rifle This c. 1790 "smooth rifle" by John Bonewitz (1758-1828) of Womelsdorf, York, and Pine Grove, Pennsylvania, features a distinctive red varnish finish with some black stippled varnish accenting on the maple stock. The stock also features classic Bonewitz raised relief carving and molding, including particularly attractive carving from the front of the cheekpiece, along its underside, and onto the butt. The barrel is smoothbore and has dovetailed blade and notch sights, and John Bonewitz's rampant lion and "IB" maker marks on the upper left at the breech. The inside of the lock has a faint maker's mark that appears to be "WAR". The gun was purchased in 1995 by Henry Bishop from Harm Leonard, past president of the American Society of Arms Collectors. Much of Leonard's collection is now displayed at the NRA National Firearms Museum. A copy of Henry Bishop's Winter 2002 Kentucky Rifle Association Bulletin article on Bonewitz featuring similarly marked and carved examples is included. Bishop noted that when this gun was first found it had a "large ugly lock and a original brass counter bold plate with an extension soldered to the top." The gun was restored by Warren Selke with a handmade replacement lock, repaired original counter plate, and small areas of wood repaired at the rear lock bolt on the left and right side at the breech.

Manufacturer: American

Model: Flintlock

BBL: 43 1/4 inch octagon

Stock: maple

Gauge: .50

Finish: brown/brass

Serial NumberNSN

Class: Antique

  • Provenance: The Harm Leonard Collection; The Henry Bishop Collection
  • Condition: Very good overall with the restoration noted above, the vast majority of the original red varnish finish remaining on the stock along with crisp carving and molding, dark brown patina and oxidation on the barrel, attractively aged patina on the brass mounts, distinct patchbox engraving, faint cracks and small chips in the stock, and general mild wear. Mechanically functions. Overall, a very distinctive and attractive early Kentucky rifle from a highly respected maker and well-known collections.

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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