C1810-30 fancy incise-carved flintlock Pennsylvania curly maple longrifle, attributed to John Gonter of Lancaster and Reading - $2250.00
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C1810-30 flintlock Pennsylvania curly maple stocked longrifle signed "J G" on barrel. John Gonter, (1762- ) of Hagerstown, MD, c1790-1801, Lancaster, PA, 1810-1823, and Reading, PA, 1823- , was known for signing his rifle I.G. or J. Gonter, according to Sellers' "American Gunsmiths." This rifle has several features similar to signed "J Gonter" rifles, including checkering embellishment on patchbox and carving, slanting script of similar style on barrel signature, similar trade lock, general patchbox shape, but most importantly, a concealed patchbox release in the toe plate. 47-1/2" part octagon, part round barrel with "wedding band" separator and rounded octagon ornamentation directly behind it. .45 caliber bore. Reconverted to flintlock using aged reproduction parts. Metal parts have a medium to dark patina overall with some expected pitting in the barrel breech. Stock is attractively grained and incise carved with elaborate designs in the left side of the butt and around the barrel tang, and simple border lines and waves in the right side of the butt, in front of triggerguard, and sides of forearm. Forward 12" of forearm is a restoration. Wood shows average wear and use, showing some chips in the forearm edges, lateral crack in right side of the forearm in front of the lock, a crack forward of the triggerguard that is mostly covered by a shaped brass wear plate, chip from forearm on left side in front of sideplate, and some minor chipping in the lock mortise. Antique, possibly period wooden ramrod of correct length, upper ramrod pipe is not pinned into the restored forearm section, but appears to be the original pipe. Hammer cocks fully but not at half cock, mainspring tension is somewhat weak. Sold as a collector item only, not warranted safe to shoot.
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