Morphy May 27th auction

[WESTbury]

Some interesting flintlock longarms in Morphy's May 27 auction including Lot#1085, a very rare New Hampshire Battalion marked Model 1763 Charleville.

As always, with any auction, caveat emptor. In other words, read the published research on any particular type of antique firearm and inspect them in person.

[backsplash75]

LOT #1051
(A) PRE-REVOLUTIONARY WAR MORAVIAN FLINTLOCK RIFLE ATTRIBUTED TO ANDREAS ALBRECHT.

https://auctions.morphyauctions.com/_A__PRE_REVOLUTIONARY_WAR_MORAVIAN_FLINTLOCK_RIFLE-LOT485580.aspx

[WESTbury]

Well, nice going backsplash75, you spilled the beans! I was trying to keep it quiet, about the Albrecht rifle, while I look for loose change in the couch and under my car seat for my opening bid.

[backsplash75]

Just write them a check? 

[WESTbury]

I prefer cash. Unfortunately, my search for funds has yielded only 85 cents and a piece of couch pizza of indeterminate age.

[mr. no gold]

Gorgeous rifle at a 'heavy' price and a lot of restoration. How much is too much? Guess if I had the wherewithal I would not flinch over that matter. The thing seems to be this: go find another one! Likely won't happen and whatever the circumstances are, this is one beautiful, early gun.
Dick

[WESTbury]

Relative to "restoration" issues raised by mr no gold in the preceding post, Lot# 1007 has some concerning anomalies relative to the dates on the lock & buttplate, triggerguard style, and the rear barrel band area of the forestock.

[Shreckmeister]

I have a rifle that appears to have been given the same treatment of thick red/black finish.  It must have been the thing to do in resto at one time.
Still looking for one in a closet that won't cost the same as a Ferrari.  Be interesting to see where this ends up.

[mr. no gold]

An old collector/dealer, can't recall his name, it may have been Don Newcomer, who famously said "Beware the black rifle."
He was referring to the 'black' being applied in restoration to hide seams and such. Today, that still hold true in collecting guns that had old restoration. Now, work is long past having to hide or disguise what was done. Nothing to apologize for today, the work I have seen is top notch and no more 'black.'
Dick

[flatsguide]

I’ll give you fifteen cents for the pizza Westbury if it still has 90% original finish remaining. Our local pizza joint is shut down.
Cheers Richard

[WESTbury]

Richard--I'm having it carbon dated by a lab at Santa Fe University in Gainesville. If it is old enough I may donate it to The Smithsonian.

[Jim Kibler]

I find it interesting how casually auction houses refer to restoration as being "professional".  I guess that sort of a relative thing.

Jim

[Mick C]

Oh to have an extra $100K (or 2) laying around collecting dust.

[JTR]

I find it interesting how casually auction houses refer to restoration as being "professional".  I guess that sort of a relative thing.

Jim

No different than "Professional" gun builders.

With both, you get what you pay for!

John