Longrifles of Note - J Fenimore Cooper rifle

[rich pierce]

I’ve seen it several times. It has some oddball features like some carving where the side plate should be. Nice architecture and a nice inspiration for an early build.

[Collector]

Also found in:

The American Tradition
The Journal Of The Contemporary Longrifle Association
2022
Volume 14   No. 1
Fall 2022
Pg(s). 8 - 13

[backsplash75]

more images are up here https://auctions.morphyauctions.com/_A__AN_IMPORTANT_DOCUMENTED_HISTORIC_EARLY_FLINTLO-LOT598497.aspx

[Avlrc]

 I can believe it was made here by an early German immigrant. Soon, it will be the pinnacle of somebody's collection. I have always loved that rifle.

[Eric Kettenburg]

I don't think it's American at all.

Maybe whoever owns it now can actually test the wood, but that does not look like maple to me.  George, unfortunately, as nice a guy as he was, believed a lot of things he was told by owners without question.

I think this is simply another heavily-used European rifle that may have a somewhat long American history but was not made here.  And there are a lot of them.

The Cooper engraving is just silly and probably dates to the late 19th or early 20th century.

[Seth Isaacson]

The font of the inscription is the style I'd expect on a late 19th or early 20th century dime novel's cover or an early movie poster. It is definitely a very interesting rifle. I'd be interested in reading more of the historical information with it regardless of the specifics of who made it when and when that inscription was added.

[rich pierce]

Not a lot has been written about it except for a Muzzke Blasts article by George Shumway.

[WESTbury]

more images are up here https://auctions.morphyauctions.com/_A__AN_IMPORTANT_DOCUMENTED_HISTORIC_EARLY_FLINTLO-LOT598497.aspx

I find the following sentence from Morphy's description interesting: "This rifle is as found and shows heavy use, consistent with having been used over a long period of time in multiple wars."

Where did the describer get this piece of intelligence from?

[rich pierce]

more images are up here https://auctions.morphyauctions.com/_A__AN_IMPORTANT_DOCUMENTED_HISTORIC_EARLY_FLINTLO-LOT598497.aspx

I find the following sentence from Morphy's description interesting: "This rifle is as found and shows heavy use, consistent with having been used over a long period of time in multiple wars."

Where did the describer get this piece of intelligence from?

I’m with it as far as heavy use is concerned. There are always wars it seems, but it being used IN wars would be a presumption, methinks. But, it’s not egregious in my view compared to things written in the past (Wolfgang Haga attributions come to mind).

[Seth Isaacson]

more images are up here https://auctions.morphyauctions.com/_A__AN_IMPORTANT_DOCUMENTED_HISTORIC_EARLY_FLINTLO-LOT598497.aspx

I find the following sentence from Morphy's description interesting: "This rifle is as found and shows heavy use, consistent with having been used over a long period of time in multiple wars."

Where did the describer get this piece of intelligence from?

Earlier photos show the frizzen missing, so its not "as found."

[Eric Kettenburg]

Nothing is.   

[WESTbury]