Berks County or Reading town. circa 1760 - 1790
A very bulbous and stocky rifle with a heavier barrel being the norm. The buttstock has a roman nose comb and a the cheekpiece being rounded and has a very soft feel. This type of rifle usually has a sliding wood or a very simple 2 or 4 piece brass patchbox. The sideplate has very heavy bevels adding to the strong feel. Decoration is being very minimal and a simple volute incise or floral relief carving is most attractive.
Original builders are, Haga, Schreit and Mauger. The Berks Co. flintlock rifle has a simple elegance that can't be matched. A great hunting rifle.

Berks County Rifle School
by Allen Martin

BERKS COUNTY FLINTLOCK RIFLE
Description: Description: This long rifle is a bench copy of a Henry Mauger who worked in Douglasville , Berks Co. Pennsylvania 1781-1825 The .50 caliber barrel is very long , measuring 50-3/8 "!! A original T. Ketland Flintlock was used on this rifle, All the brass mounting were hand formed, This rifle was stocked in curly maple and neatly Incised carved and everything aged in a subtle manner!!! This rifle went a collector who loves the H. Mauger rifles with a passion!!!

PETER ANGSTADT - BERKS COUNTY
Description: This slender folk-art rifle is a bench copy made from 2 different rifles by Peter Angstadt who worked in a Rockland Twp. Allemangel District (Northeastern Berks Co.) circa 1790-1810. 36 caliber, 48-inch tapered & flared Getz barrel, a small Siler flintlock refiled to mimic like the ones on the original rifles, unfigured hard maple stock with low-relief / incise carving with numerous brass / silver inlays.  All inlays have symbolic meanings based on Christian or biblical happenings. A lovely remake of a style of gun not reproduced by many, commissioned by a collector who has a deep passion for this style of art-work!!

18th CENTURY BERKS CO. RIFLE
Description: Sugar maple stocked, Getz 44" 50 caliber barrel, Large Siler Flintlock, single trigger, brass mounted with a sliding wood patchbox all framed together with clean, simple relief carving. This rifle is a very subtle, elegant hunting rifle. Soft lines make it very comfortable to shoot even in very large calibers such as .54 to .60!!!

Wommelsdorf - Wommelsdorf town in northern Berks Co. circa 1770 -1820.
Classic beauty comes to mind when beholding a Bonewitz, Reedy or Figthorn Rifle. The 4 piece patchboxes are engraved in a very delicate manner. Beautiful relief carving is almost always present with vines and floral designs. Buttstock architecture has a slight curve on top and bottom with the cheekpiece being crisp and the wrist has a soft rounded feel. A Golden Age hunting rifle that has warmth and grace to be enjoyed by all.

WOMMELSDORF Rifle School by Allen Martin

LEONARD REEDY RIFLE
Description: This downscaled Leonard Reedy rifle is a joy to behold!!! Copied after 2 or 3 different Reedy's it turned into a beautiful little gun!!! Getz, .36 caliber barrel, Siler flintlock, Hard sugar maple stock, Brass mounted, Engraved 4 piece pierced patchbox, Fully raised carved!!!

Builder and Collector of Fine Flintlock Rifles and Fowling Pieces
Best of Show Traditional and Best of Show Overall at the 1999 Dixon's Gunmakers Fair.
1510 Orchard Road | Swengel, Pa. 17880 | 1-570-922-4281 | E-mail Allen Martin

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