Morphy Auctions 5.27.2020: PRE-REVOLUTIONARY WAR MORAVIAN FLINTLOCK RIFLE ATTRIBUTED TO ANDREAS ALBRECHT

According to Moravian "Gun Making of the American Revolution", Andreas Albrecht lived between 1718 and 1802. He was born in Germany and in 1750 migrated to the Moravian community of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. In 1759 he moved to Christian's Spring where he helped establish a trade school. At this time he also began a new rifle stocking shop until 1776 when he returned to Bethlehem and became manager of the Sun Inn. In May of 1781, he moved with his family to Lititz and reestablished himself as a gunsmith. This important rifle was found in England years before its counterpart, which is the Lion and the Lamb Rifle, was also found at the same place. When it was first brought back to the United States, it was missing its barrel, lock, sideplate and trigger guard, as well as the forestock slightly forward of the rear furl. The missing parts were professionally replaced using other examples for accuracy. The original inletting was still intact in order to provide the correct replacement pieces. The rifle dates circa 1760 and is one of the earliest Moravian made rifles in America. It was certainly taken as a war souvenir or battle trophy by an English officer probably during the American Revolution. The rifle has a deeply rifled, swamped, octagonal iron barrel with a brass front sight and a large iron rear sight, as well as a hooked breech. The period lock is inscribed "DRAPER" in the center. The brass furniture includes a classic Moravian sideplate with beveled edges and a molding behind the thumbnail rear tang, a Moravian trigger guard and a wide butt plate measuring 2 and 1/4 inches across at its widest point. There are original brass wire inlaid designs on both sides of the forend as well as behind the ramrod entry furl. There is a brass eight point Moravian star with engraved shading retained by a screw in the center. The rifle has a full length figured maple stock of early Moravian Northampton County form including a stepped wrist. Most importantly this rifle retains its original sliding wooden patchbox lid. Original sliding wood covers on early rifles are extremely rare as they were often worn and cracked, and were replaced with a brass patchbox. This patchbox is carved with an incised and relief scalloped shell. There is also a relief serpentine border around the lid and a series of incised designs and decorations, as well as small circles. Around the cover there are relief moldings as well as a stylized fluer de lis at the top, which is also decorated with small circles. On the left side of the buttstock there is a two tailed lion or dog in relief with claw footed legs and a split tail. The dog is also decorated with incised fur designs and small circles. The rest of the relief carving around the comb, barrel tang and other areas follows a more traditional approach. Below the cheekpiece is an incised tulip directly beneath the cheekpiece. 

CONDITION: Very good as properly professionally restored as described above. Barrel and lock retain a matching, heavy brown patina. Lock is in its original flintlock condition and functions properly. Brass retains a pleasing dark mustard patina with some areas darker. A couple minor pieces of brass inlay are absent around ramrod entry furl. The rifle has a very good homogeneous "as found" appearance. Stock retains its original patina with a later coat of finish. Some minor splinters replaced around lock and barrel tang. Some other minor chips and scattered marks from use. This an extremely early and important Pre-Revolutionary War Moravian rifle. It is one of the best known and best documented examples of early American rifles. It is complete with a file of information relating to Andreas Albrecht, Moravian rifles and information comparing this rifle to other Albrecht's, most notably, the Lion and the Lamb Bayonet Rifle. Included are copies of the cover and pages featuring the rifle from each publication where it is shown.There is also a series of original photographs of this 

rifle side-side with the Lion and the Lamb Rifle. PROVENANCE: Ex. William H. Myers Collection 

LITERATURE: This rifle is featured on pages 50-53 of "Longrifle Articles Published in Muzzle Blasts" Volume I from issue 3 in 1997 by George Shumway. It is also shown in "Accouterments II" by James R. Johnston on pages 33-35 and on pages 51-55 of "Moravian Gun Making of The American Revolution" by the Kentucky Rifle Association and Kentucky Rifle Foundation. The rifle is also on the 2008 Kentucky Rifle Association President's Display CD.

CORRECTION: The trigger guard, side plate, lockplate and ramrod entry ferrule are, in fact, original to the rifle. Although it is stated otherwise in. The first Moravian book, I spoke with Judson Brennan, who did the restoration of this rifle. He kindly informed me of the errors in the book. The rifle was found in England and it was probably taken there as a war trophy during or after the American Revolution. The barrel tang for hooked breech was also on the rifle when it was discovered there. The lock is a very good professional reconversion, but the lock plate was on the rifle when it was found, but it had been converted to percussion.

Barrel Length: 41 - 1/4"

Caliber/Bore: .65 Rifled

Manufacturer: Andreas Albrecht Attributed

Minimum Bid: $65,000.00

Current Bid: $65,000.00

Estimate: $125,000 - $175,000

Number of Bids: 1

Copy and photos from Morphy Auctions here.

"Lion and Lamb" Moravian Flintlock Rifle, Attributed to Andreas Albrecht

This Moravian rifle is probably the most important and decorative Kentucky rifle in existence. It is featured on the cover of "Moravian Gunmaking of the American Revolution" published by the Kentucky Rifle Foundation. This rifle has been prominently displayed since 2016 until very recently at the Museum of the American Revolution. The loan documents and a photo of the rifle in the "Arms of Independence" display are included. The rifle was first pictured in the first "Accouterments" book by James R. Johnston. It is shown in a four page spread on pages 17-20. The gun is also featured on pages 57-63 of "Moravian Gunmaking of the Revolution". Copies of both of these books are included with the rifle. This pre-Revolutionary War rifle dates circa 1760 and is attributed to Moravian gunsmith Andreas Albrecht. During the period when this rifle was made, Albrecht was working in Christian Springs, Pennsylvania. The completely octagonal rifled barrel has been fitted with a bayonet lug on top near the muzzle for use in the Revolutionary War. The iron ramrod and Brown Bess trumpeted cast brass ramrod ferrule were probably added at the same time. The barrel was also shortened at this time. The notched iron rear sight is seated in the center of a molded brass block dovetailed into the top flat, there are double lines both in front of and behind the sight. On the left flat, just behind the sight, there is a dagger shaped marking. The high quality lock has a flat plate with a molding at the tail and beveled edges. The frizzen spring is scalloped and terminates in a long, foliate finial. The unbridled pan is faceted. The brass furniture includes a two piece, horizontally hinged patchbox, the finial is in the shape of a lamb's head and is engraved with facial features. The early style brass lid has a molded border and is engraved with scrolls. The brass buttplate is nearly straight across the back and measures about 2" in the widest spot. Originally, the rifle probably has a wood sliding, dovetailed cover for its patchbox door. This is probably a pre-war in-period replacement. A wide flat can be seen around the brass patchbox, which does not contour to the rest of the buttstock. There is also a dovetailed cut-out in the buttplate where the original sliding wooden lid would have been seated. The toeplate is a simple, unengraved trifed shape. The brass trigger guard shows a wide bow and significant space between the back of the trigger guard and the wrist, as well as being retained by a screw at the back tang. All of these features are commonly seen on early Moravian rifles. The brass sideplate has slightly beveled edges and a flute surrounded by two engraved lines near the tail. There is a large engraved eight point Moravian star secured by a screw in the center and inlaid above the cheekpiece. The ramrod entry ferrule has a long, rectangular tang which was reinforced by iron pins during the period of use. The highly figured maple stock is of classic, early Moravian form with a step below the wrist and large relief panels around the lock and sideplate. Behind the molded relief cheekpiece is a completely relief carved "Teeth-Bearing" lion with a spade-like tasseled tail and ferocious claws. The eyes are two brass nails and the body is covered with a series of incised accents and circular punched dots. In front of the cheekpiece there are relief foliate scrolls and beneath the cheekpiece is a stylized, incised carved sprout or sprig. The relief carving around the barrel tang and buttstock comb is a traditional form of decoration incorporating and foliate design with scrolls and volutes. The rifle is complete with an associated, period altered 1st Model Brown Bess triangular socket bayonet measuring 20-1/2" overall in length with a blade of about 16", marked at the top "IP", perhaps for Joseph Perkin. On the socket, there is a threaded wing nut type adaptation, presumably, to hold the bayonet onto the flat of a rifle. This adaptation is American and was done during the period of use. This bayonet fits the rifle perfectly and has a matching patina.

CONDITION: This iconic Moravian pre-Revolutionary War rifle has survived in untouched condition. The barrel retains a mottled brown patina. The lock retains a matching patina and is in its original flintlock configuration. All of the brass furniture retains a pleasing, unpolished, dark mustard patina, showing some light wear and scattered marks. There is one minor crack at the back of the trigger guard tang and one small area of losses from the iron ramrod at the front of the ramrod entry ferrule. The stock retains an original finish, showing many dark areas as well as light areas where the rifle was handled. The carving shows some light wear and the patina is a soft, pleasing orange color. There are some age cracks on the left side towards the toe. The bayonet retains a patina nearly identical to that of the barrel. Because of the condition, the combat-theater adaptation for a bayonet and the carved lion in contrast with the lamb patchbox all set this rifle apart from any other Kentucky. It clearly shows American creativity and perfect architecture. The rifle also shows the European influence with the Baroque style carving, blended with the American aspects such as the lion. This rifle is probably the most decorative and important Kentucky in existence. 

PROVENANCE: Peter Finer, Tom Wilson, Wallace Gusler.

Barrel Length: 36-3/8"

Caliber/Bore: .50 Rifled

Minium Bid: $130,000.00

Estimate: $250,000 - $500,000

Copy and photos from Morphy Auctions here.
October 30, 2019 
The Collection of Steve and Marcy Hench