Won This one and some nice European Guns - "Reading" Patchbox Rifle

[BradBrownBess]

https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/86/3074/flintlock-american-long-rifle-with-reading-inscribed-patchbox

I liked the architecture, the swann patch box, and from conversations with a few others - decided to bid.
I got my winnings tonight and have to say I love the gun. I thought the price was fantastic and could not be happier.

I know some others "have owned the gun", known a previous owner, or have questions, etc. Fire away - I'd like to know as much about the piece as I can. Also, if you want to know something, ask me and I'll try my best to get the right answer to you about the gun.

Cool gun for my tastes.

****I will say this - I would not hesitate to bid with RIA again. Their packing/shipping was the best that I have ever had, and shipping was dirt cheap for what I got. I used a buyer's agent because I could not go in person - but the guns I got 7 total - are all stunning - and exactly as described and "no, ZERO funny business". They always call me before auctions, they have always helped me in so many ways, cannot say enough good things about them.

I will say there are some Dealers out there that I would NEVER buy from again. Some with known names and with supposedly decent reputations.
If you say "You have been in business for 30 - 40 years, no need to worry, all pieces 100% guaranteed, we go over everything with a fine-toothed comb so you can be confident" and on and on - I tend to at least "lean" in your direction that you are probably a fair and reputable person. NO! NOT SO - you can buy an import faked POS from a dealer just as easy as Ebay (I did not do such) but I did get some "junk" off three dealers based on many calls, pictures, discussions, etc. Got my money back on each but not after a LOT OF time, expense, and hassle.

Again - 99% of you know this - but be REALLY careful - especially now - there are complete fakes coming out in big numbers that are VERY good. Stay safe. If you cannot go in person - get a buyer's agent who knows their stuff and will go for you. There are a LOT of benefits to this approach.

[rich pierce]

Very stylish, and in wonderful shape!

[mr. no gold]

Good catch, Brad! Very nice rifle with lots of great details. Nice carving with a bit of the Upper Susq' School in the design. Fine patch box which is way beyond most Reading guns. I like the 'Reading' inscription of the lid and the bird finial. Great rifle at a very fair price. Good on you for winning the prize! And, thank you for allowing us to celebrate with you.
Dick
 

[JTR]

That's a nice gun, and bought for a price that I'm sure made the seller cringe! Good deal for you though.
Thanks for posting it and letting us see what you got.
John

[WESTbury]

You did very well Brad, congratulations.

What other pieces did you get?

[jdm]

Very nice  and you got it at a good price.  Some better pictures would be fun sometime.   Thanks  Jim

[eastwind]

Congrats Brad: A nice Reading rifle that both Joe Kindig III and I discussed at some length before we put it in the Reading Museum Exhibit and Book (Masterpieces of the American Long Rifle) in 2015. Joe felt it could be attributed to William Shener based largely on his father’s opinion – I tended to think there was no credible evidence to believe it was by Shener. Further, since no Shener rifle has surfaced with a signature (to my knowledge)- we were on slim ice. In fact, I think Shener’s attributions are a bit much lately, somewhat like Gideon Angstadt’s rifles. If you know it’s Berks or Reading and it isn’t Haga because it is engraved - call it a Shener. But I went along with Joe on this one as our friendship wasn’t worth pushing over an otherwise interesting rifle.
    We also discussed other features of the rifle and no need to broadcast those details here but would be glad to impart that discussion to Brad the buyer.
Joe sold the rifle not long after the Exhibit to a friend of mine who cared little about the maker. In any case, you have a nice rifle purchased at a very good price.
    I might mention that the current edition of the Old Westmoreland Rifles Assoc. newsletter features a small piece on these rifles with “Reading” signed patchboxes. Contact, Bill Vance at bvance23@comcast.net for a copy.
Patrick Hornberger