Here is an uplifting one for a change. Yes, there is hope for all of us who seek those rare, really old guns.
A good friend, an accomplished builder himself, not too long ago went to a general auction here in eastern PA and hit pay dirt. The set up was most common. None of the rest of us gun guys attended, as it was mostly box lots of pots and pans, at least so advertised. "Old gun parts," also appeared in the small ad. So he went; we didn't.
He comes home with about 80% of perhaps the oldest PA rifle I have seen surface in two decades. A foot of fore end missing as is the butt plate and all the thimbles, but the rest of a very early raised-carved, heavy-butt, graceful rifle is there. Only silver on the gun is a little name plate on the wrist. I'd stick my neck out and guess Christian's Spring with more than a little comfort, and others have concurred without any prodding.
At this time several of us return to study it occasionally. He has ability himself to do a crisp, appropriate restoration, but has chosen, at this time, to leave the rifle as it is, and no one seems to care; it's that remarkable.
Now for the kicker. He paid $40 plus $2.40 PA state sales tax. There, my good friends, is someone who got value for his cash. I am most pleased that a cartel friend got this piece and thank him for his willingness to share this important rifle. Sort of like love itself; you often find it when you are not looking for it, and sometimes in the most unlikely places.
