Looking for information on Reading longrifles

[utseabee]

     I was reading the brochure for the Eastern Pennsylvania Longrifle Show and it states that the Kentucky Rifle Foundation will be having a display of signed on patch box Reading rifles. Do any of you have any knowledge of these? I am curious who may have made them and how many are known of. Does anyone have any pictures of these? I have always enjoyed attending this show  and seeing the displays there. I am less than an hour from Reading and haven't heard about these rifles before reading the brochure. Just wanted to see what you might know about them. Any information is appreciated.
Thank you

[Mac]

This is an example of the rifles utseabee is asking about. I know of five rifles with the "Reading" inscription, one has a date also "1812" Looking for others that are not known by the guys involved in this study also why this inscription, ownership,  prize, pride in residence. It appears from the characteristic of these five they were made over several years. If this thread has enough interest I can post pics of three of them

[Dobyns]

post away Mac, I can't say that I've seen more than one with an engraved patchbox

[utseabee]

This is an example of the rifles utseabee is asking about. I know of five rifles with the "Reading" inscription, one has a date also "1812" Looking for others that are not known by the guys involved in this study also why this inscription, ownership,  prize, pride in residence. It appears from the characteristic of these five they were made over several years. If this thread has enough interest I can post pics of three of them

Thank you Mac

[bama]

Yes thank you Mac. I to would love to see more.

[Mac]

excuse poor photography
The forth one has bird final similar to one in attachment and the fifth I've haven't seen

[WESTbury]

Mac,

Is it okay to download these photos?

[JTR]

Nice rifles!
Thanks for posting them!
John

[jdm]

Nice rifles . I hope some more come out of the wood work.   Thanks for showing them   Jim

[Mac]

WESTbury sure I like to share these thinks with everyone
If you can attend this years EPLShow you can handle and photograph them

[WESTbury]

Thanks MAC. I always like to ask because there are some "touchy" people in this world.

The three rifles you posted are great original pieces.

[utseabee]

Thank you for the pictures. It would be neat to find out just how many there are or were.

[eastwind]

Great display--I'm anxious to see these "Reading" rifles at the upcoming Eastern Pa. long Rifle Show, Morgantown, PA Oct 1-3 - A good show--(yeah it's a plug for the show, sorry).

Although I've only seen one of these rifles, what's really curious about this is it appears the "Reading" engraving is on rifles from different makers at slightly different periods, yet the hand of the engraver appears to be the same hand, at least it looks like it in the pictures. Any engraving on Reading rifles, is normally about as rare as signatures on Reading rifles. Is this some kind of anomaly or later celebratory purpose? Curious and curiouser?? Similarity to the more than one rifle found by Bonewitz with "Womelsdorf" engraved on the patchbox cover is uncanny.

Sideline: When I half-wrote/published the Kindig collection book, I found their"Reading" marked rifle hidden among the many. I never saw it for the earlier Berks County exhibit/book almost 10 years earlier - whata bummer.  So when you think it would be fun to have 400 long rifles - keep that problem in mind. That gun is sold - so don't call them

Patrick Hornberger

[Mac]

Just received word of two additional "READING" inscribed Patch Boxes, one is on a relic but stock other one is on a restocked rifle, no pics available. Both of them will be in the display Oct. 1 & 2.
Mac

[VP]

For those of you going to the CLA show this week, the Kentucky Rifle Foundation will have a Reading rifle, along with others, on display at their table in the Antique section of the show. This rifle has "Reading 1812" on the patchbox. Please stop by and take some photos if you wish.

VP

[Eric Kettenburg]

You guys are great, thanks for sharing!  Interesting stuff.

[utseabee]

    I wish I was going to the CLA show this weekend. Unfortunately, work got in the way. Luckily, I will get to see the display when it is at the Eastern Pa Longrifle Show.