I have an update from the consignor of this rifle... The auction house acted as an intercessor and this is the reply that I received... Mr. Hill,
We reached out to the consignor of lot 2013 on your behalf regarding the lock on the flint lock rifle. Following is his response:
“It was one of my father’s many guns in his collection. He knew Clay Price, as well as Tom Hobbs and Hoppy Hopkins…all of which made muzzle loading rifles and pistols in the 1960s and 1970s. Hobbs and Hopkins had a joint business venture making barrels for a few years in the Ellicott City area. Price worked on and off at the barrel shop. Dad bought the rifle from Clay on one of his many visits to the shop. I was never aware of a flint lock that ever accompanied the rifle along with the percussion lock. If there had been a second flint lock made for the rifle, Dad would have had it as well. Nor was I ever aware that a concept like the one you suggested was ever discussed. Being very close with my dad until his passing in the 1990s, I knew a lot about the weapons that were in his collection. Plus I knew Tom Hobbs well.
I trust you’ll enjoy owning the Clay Price rifle. I found it very aesthetically pleasing. It was a hard one to let go.
Kindest regards”
I hope this helps... Jeffery S. Evans & Associates
