Golden Age Rifle by Nicholas Beyer

This rifle has a 46-1/2" inch oct to rnd smooth bore bbl signed in script by N. Beyer. The 4-pc brass engraved patch box is similar to rifle No. 93 in Kindig and the patch box latch is riveted in the upper corner of the lid with the release in the butt plate. The butt carving on the cheek piece side, silver cheek star and brass side plate are also identical to Kindig’s rifle No. 93. The relief carving at the tang is sharp and crisp and includes a rnd inlay secured by four pins. This is a clean, honest N. Beyer rifle in attic condition which has had no restoration. N. Beyer was one of the most prolific of the better rifle makers who worked as a gunsmith in Dauphin County circa 1807 – 1810. The ramrod pipes on this rifle are short with molded ends and the forward trigger guard extension ends with two fixed lines that form a molding. CONDITION: This is a clean, honest N. Beyer rifle in attic condition which has had no restoration and shows only signs of normal wear and use.  The front bbl pin is missing and there are several losses of wood on both sides along the barrel and around bbl pins.  There is an old period metal repair between the nose cap and the front ramrod pipe.  A small bit of wood is missing over the front of the lock plate.

Copy and photos supplied by James D. Julia, Inc.