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Smooth Bore Pennsylvania (? Bucks County) long rifle
Rifle was found in the floor boards of a 2nd story in a home located @ 3516 Linden Street in Bethlehem, PA 18017 in +/- 1967 while looking for a water leak. There was a blacksmith shop originally on this property. Entire Rifle is 52" in overall length. Barrell is 36.5" in length; I believe that the barrel is iron / steel. Stock is "tiger wood" and the ram rod is ?Curly Maple? Vs stained to look like curly maple. Firing Mechanism is English stamped "LONDON WARRANTED". Firing mechanism seems to work and the trigger causes a spark. Trigger guard , butt guard and ram rod holders are brass. Top of Barrell is stamped S -- B. Inside diameter of the barrel is +/- 14 mm. Also found was a British flintlock pistol
This rifle has never been exhibited. I inherited it from my father. We found it in +/- 1967 looking for a water leak in the floor boards of part of the original home located @ 3516 Linden Street Bethlehem, PA 18017. I saw a similar rifle in ?Mosby's? Auction with an estimate of 70K?
Inherited
Maybe
Dear Joseph,
Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry. My sincere apologies for the delay with the appraisal.
The presented object appears to be a smooth bore American long rifle or Pennsylvania rifle with a flintlock. The lockplate is marked "London Warranted" which indicates that this lock was imported from Great Britain. The tiger maple stock indicates that this weapon was assembled in North America in the late 18th or early 19th century. The octagonal barrel is marked by the gunsmith with "S B". Sadly these initials are not identifiable.
This piece is in good condition and there is no serious damage visible in the images provided.
A fair market estimation would be between 1.500 to 3.000 USD.
This estimate is based on actual recent past recorded auction sales of comparable items. Retail "asking prices" can be higher and may vary.
With kind regards,
George
