A Fine Berks County Swivel Breech Flintlock Rifle Attributed to Adam Angstadt
Berks County, Pennsylvania
Kentucky Rifle Association Award - "Best Inlaid Rifle" in 1992
Date/Period: Early 19th Century - SOLD
Measurement: Overall length: 54"; barrel length: 38"
Material: Curly maple stock, silver, silver plated, and brass inlays
Additional Information: This rifle is accompanied by its silver award plaque presented
by the Kentucky Rifle Association when it won the award for the "Best Inlaid Rifle" in
1992. Adam Angstadt was born in Berks County in 1738. He is listed in "Daughters of
the American Revolution Patriot Index" in recognition for his service during the
Revolutionary War. He remained on the tax records in Rockland Township through the
1780's listed as a gunsmith and clock maker. It is presumed that he died in 1812 at the
age of 74.
The rifle features twin octagon rifled barrels, both with brass front sights and iron rear
sights. Both barrels have breeches complete with pans, each with frizzen, facing
opposite directions. Between the barrels on both sides are long strips of highly figured
maple, one side with five unengraved silver inlays, the other with ramrod ferrules and a
wooden ramrod. There is a brass strip at the muzzle on both sides, imitating a nose
cap. The flat lockplate on the right side has beveled edges and the rifle is fitted with a
set trigger. To release the barrels and allow them to swivel, the trigger guard bow must
be pulled at the front. There is a brass sideplate on the opposite side of the lock. The
rifle has an ornate, pierced and engraved four-piece patch box, as well as an
unengraved comb wear-plate, and an ornate inlaid and engraved brass pick holder and
cheekpiece guard. There are three silver inlays behind the barrel tang, the wrist
escutcheon is surround by brass pins. There are small brass stars inlaid on both sides
of the wrist and a teardrop shaped silver inlay on the toe, following a plain brass
toeplate. On the left side, there is a pierced silver star inlaid above the cheekpiece and
two crescent strips of brass, one engraved, closely mirroring the shape of the buttplate,
along with a silver six-point star. The highly figured maple buttstock is of classic Roman
nose Berks County form.
Condition: Barrels retain a good brown patina, showing some “as expected” minor
[moot] high spot edge wear. Both locks have been professionally reconverted to flintlock
configuration (undetectable). Brass retains a mellowing mustard patina. Mechanism
functions properly. A professional repair was performed on a fissure [on underside] that
traveled from lock to sideplate. Mentioned for accuracy is that a very small piece has
been replaced at the toe as well as a small and minor piece…top of channel on right
side of the forestock. Also, a couple slivers replaced around the frizzen springs on both
sides, otherwise only minor wear and scattered dings commensurate with age and use.
This is a scarce and very well decorated example of a Berks County rifle that displays
beautifully.
SOLD
861-4
