I wish I had more info. It came up at auction and the estimated price was higher than I could manage so I did not bid. here is the description:
Important American associated flintlock Jaeger rifle, ca. 1740, 36” overall with a 21-1/4” barrel of approx. 68 caliber rifled, museum type plaque affixed to bottom of stock is engraved in script “No. 6 Cap.t J. Vrooman’s rifle, Recovered by his friends”; trigger guard shows an 18th or 19th century inscription which is very light and reads “Taken from Walter Butler’s Indians, 30th day of Oct’b 1781”. Rifle is in good original condition with extensive research and documentation, including duMont inventory. The Jaeger shows brown patina original finish with light to moderate erosion and pin prick pitting, wood is good with typical German styling and carving showing some breaks and small losses around top edge, but generally good overall, with simple handmade wood ramrod and in original flintlock configuration (hammer screw probably an old replacement); there is a silver plaque inlaid at the wrist which has been polished. Many handwritten letters are included which date back to the 1940’s tracing the Vrooman family and documenting the purchase by John S. duMont in the 1960’s from a relative. Tunis Vrooman was from Albany County, New York, and was a veteran of the French & Indian War, who was appointed Captain in the Albany county Militia during the Revolution in Col. Jacob Sternberger’s Albany County regiment. He was killed by Indians Aug. 9, 1780, in a raid on the Scholharie Valley by Joseph Brant. Brant killed Tunis and his wife and took his rifle, according to duMont’s notes, which he cites “Public papers of George Clinton, Vol. 6, 1902. Also according to duMont’s notes and letters, apparently the rifle was installed in the Schoharie Valley Historical society, who installed the engraved plaque on the rifle. Est.: $7,500-$15,000.
