Skip to main content
Rock Island Auction Company
AuctionsConsignmentLatestFAQAbout us
Log InCreate Account
Rock Island Auction CompanyRock Island Auction Company
Contact us
1-309-797-15001-800-238-8022[email protected]
Locations
Bedford, TX
3600 Harwood RoadBedford, Texas 76021, USA
Rock Island, IL
7819 42nd Street WestRock Island, Illinois 61201, USA
Hours
Monday - Friday8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Navigation
AuctionsConsignmentLatestFAQAbout usAccount
More Info
Terms & ConditionsPrivacy PolicyJob postings & CareersOrder a catalogContact
Social media
© 2025 Rock Island Auction Company. RIAC believes that this website is accessible to the widest possible audience pursuant to the guidelines of the Americans with Disability Act. Click here for more information.
Healthcare Transparency in Coverage.
Disconnected
Unable to connect to live update server, attempting reconnection. If this persists, please try refreshing your browser.
Disconnected state indicated by at top of page. If you cannot see this icon, you are connected.
Rock Island Auction Company
Hello.
Please Log In, or .

Home
Auctions
Consignment
Latest
FAQ
About us

  • /Auctions...
  • /Catalog...
  • /Lot 207

Lot 207:Documented Award Winning Peter Neihart Golden Age Flintlock Penn

September 11th, 2015|Rock Island, IL
  • /Auctions...
  • /Catalog...
  • /Lot 207

Lot 207:Documented Award Winning Peter Neihart Golden Age Flintlock Penn

September 11th, 2015|Rock Island, IL
Price Realized:
Login to viewLogin to view
Price obfuscated
Estimated Price$20,000 - $35,000
Log In to use Wishlists
Share

Documented Award Winning Peter Neihart Golden Age Flintlock Pennsylvania Rifle and Matching Contemporary Miniature with Award Plaque

A) P. Neihart Smooth Bore Long Rifle

This beautiful example of the iconic American long rifle is pictured and discussed on pages 238-241 of George Shumway's classic "Rifles of Colonial America Volume 1." It is also on the cover and page 1 of "Kentucky Rifles & Pistols, 1750-1850" by the Golden Age Arms Company and James R. Johnston. Shumway notes: "A lot is known about Neihart from the research of Ronald G. Gabel. The name is variously spelled in the old records. . . Peter's father settled along the Lehigh River in North Whitehall Twp. in 1738 [he and two brothers arrived at the port of Philadelphia on September 26, 1737, on the St. Andrew Galley] and Peter was born in 1743. With whom he apprenticed is not known, but it is probable that he at least was influenced by the work of Andreas Albrecht at Christian Spring nearby. . . This rifle serves as a transition piece linking the Germanic style of rifle made at Christian Spring with the classic curved-butt Lehigh Valley rifles of the Federal Period and beyond. . . The two-piece engraved brass patch-box on this rifle, with the lid bearing the date 1787, has a finial of fleur-de-lis pattern. This is the earliest dated use of this pattern that we can be certain of. . ." It is also pictured in the "Bethlehem School" section of "The Kentucky Rifle" by Merrill Lindsay alongside two Herman Rupp rifles with very similar patch boxes and stock ornamentation. The barrel has a smooth bore, brass blade front sight, notch rear sight, and deeply cut "~PETER NEIHART~" marking in Roman style lettering on the top flat. The full length curly maple stock has a swirl pattern brass forend cap, an engraved and initialed silver thumb piece, wavy brass wire inlays and stud stock ornamentation, carved accents including a floral scroll pattern on the left rear, a cheekpiece with engraved silver star of Bethlehem inlay and molded edge, and an ornate engraved patch box. Several of the components also display engraving accents. The rifle has a wooden ramrod and a silver and gold award plaque marked "Kentucky Rifle Assn./1969/Best of Show" on the front and "S. KIRK & SON/STERLING" on the back. It also has "PETER NEIHART" and "rifle" labels.

ConditionFine. The brass and silver components have an even attractive aged patina throughout, and the lock, trigger, and barrel have a mixture of faded brown finish and an untouched dark brown patina with patches varnish, oxidation, and moderate pitting. The latter is concentrated primarily near the breech. The stock is very good and has beautiful tight stripe figure along with areas of dark patina. There is period repaired (screw) piece on bottom toe at buttplate juncture, a break on the forend at one of the pins, some overall minor dings and light scratches, and several small chips. The lock functions fine, and the marking and engraving designs are distinct.
Details
ManufacturerKentucky
ModelFlintlock
TypeRifle
ClassAntique
Caliber / Gauge55
Barrel43 1/2 inch octagon
Finishbrown
Stockmaple

Item LocationRock Island, IL
Views7661
Catalog page73

B) Alan Gutchess Miniature Copy of a Peter Neihart Long Rifle

This rifle is a close miniature copy to gun A. The only noticeable difference is that it is marked "ALAN GUTCHESS" on the barrel instead of "PETER NEIHART". It even has a properly functioning spring patch box door and articulating lock. The barrel is 13 inches long, and the overall length is 17 1/2 inches.

ConditionVery fine. It retains 90% plus of the original brown finish and has some slight oxidation on the lock and rub wear on the patch box. The lock currently does not hold half or full cock. The stock is also very fine with only a few slight scratches.
Details
ManufacturerKentucky
ModelFlintlock
TypeOther
Serial number
ClassOther

Item LocationRock Island, IL
Views7661
Catalog page73
Find MoreRelated Items
Lot 3081KRA & NRA Award Winning George Shroyer American Long Rifle
View Lot
Lot 3082Leonard Reedy Signed Flintlock American Long Rifle
View Lot
Lot 57H. Gibbs Lancaster Percussion American Long Rifle
View Lot
Lot 1258Simon Bolivar's Baucheron Pirmet Flintlock Double Barrel Shotgun
View Lot
Show More