Contemporary Makers: George Schreyer "Rattlesnake" Golden Age Rifle

This spectacular rifle has a 47 " full oct unsigned .49 cal smooth bore bbl. The rifle is 62-1/2" overall and the butt of the rifle is a full 1-3/4" thick at the butt plate. This grand Kentucky rifle was featured as rifle No. 8 in Dr. George Shumway’s book “George Schreyer Sr. & Jr. – Gunmakers of Hanover, York County, Pennsylvania”. In the book Shumway writes: “This piece is notable for the patch box finial engraved with a rattlesnake design, and although the bbl is unsigned, there can be no doubt that it was made by George Schreyer Sr. Most Schreyer guns are equipped with German locks, but this one has a lock of English style with rounded pan”. “The left side of the stock is nicely carved with relief designs and incised volutes. The top of the wrist does not have Schreyer’s usual fleur-de-lis design, but instead has a lobate design in relief”. As evident by its accompanying framed receipt, this rifle is from the famed Kindig collection. This orig document made out to Earl F. Lanning, Waynesville, N.C. and dated 1963 reads: “One fine early George Schroyer flint lock rifle with his fine typical relief carving and the earliest rattlesnake patch box that I have ever seen. I would have loved to have had this in the book but only bought it about 6 months ago from Wes White...Joe Kindig Jr". As noted in the receipt, the Rattlesnake Schreyer was purchased from Kindig by noted Kentucky rifle authority and collector, Earl Lanning for the tidy sum of $1100. A recent letter reminiscing his long ago experience of purchasing and owning this Kentucky accompanies the rifle. In the early 1970’s Mr. Lanning sold the rifle and it became the prized possession of Mr. Everett “Bernie” Partridge who kept it until his death in 2008. A true work of art, in 1979 the rifle was recognized and awarded “Best Relief Carved Rifle” by the Kentucky Rifle Association. The silver award medal accompanies the rifle. PROVENANCE: Wes White; Joe Kindig, Jr.; Earl Lanning; Everett "Bernie" Partridge. CONDITION: Very fine. The last 12" of the fore stock has been properly restored with the forward thimble and nosecap appearing to be original to the rifle. There is a 3-1/2" wood repair above the front of the lock and it appears there has been a minor wood repair below the lock and a diagonal crack repair 3" from front of side plate screw to bbl. All repairs are sound. The flintlock is a reconversion to flint. None of this detracts from the importance and beauty of this classic example.