Peter Berry Signed Golden Age Flintlock American Long Rifle | Dauphin County Pennsylvania

Peter Berry of the Dauphin County School was among the most talented master craftsmen of the post-Revolutionary War "Golden Age" in American long rifle craftsmanship. The Kentucky Rifle Foundation states: "Peter Berry (d. 1796) is regarded as a grand master of the Dauphin/Lebanon region. He was taxed as a gunsmith in Heidelberg Twp., Dauphin County from 1786-1796. His distinct rifles reflect excellent craftsmanship and engraving, and genuine specimens are rare and especially desirable."-Joe Kindig Jr.
Indeed, surviving examples of his work are rare and among the most desirable early American firearms. This example is pictured on page 271 of Joe Kindig Jr.'s classic book "Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle in Its Golden Age." The barrel is smoothbore and has a dovetailed brass blade front sight, dovetailed iron notch rear sight, and a crisp "Pe*Berry" signature on top of the breech section. The rifle features a plain single trigger and an unmarked lock with faceted pan and a gooseneck cock. The brass furniture has well-executed but subtle engraving.
Kindig noted that the brass wire inlays were "a rare detail that Peter Berry used occasionally." The patch box is correctly secured by three screws with high rounded heads. The stock has molded line accents along the edges, tear drop flats, an inlaid silver wrist escutcheon secured by for small pins and accented with some light engraving, and raised relief scroll and floral patterns at the ramrod entry, barrel tang, and both sides of the butt with some notch accents. Despite the many consistencies in Berry's work broadly, his carving designs vary widely, but all clearly demonstrate his talents as a carver.
Kindig wrote, "Peter Berry carved beautiful designs of C-scrolls with some flowers in high relief. The fact that no two of these guns are carved alike attests to his versatility." The intricate details of the accents and the C-scrolls on the left side of the butt that flow off of the back of the cheekpiece are certainly excellent examples of his craftsmanship
Learn more at www.ilovemuzzleloading.com/
Click here to SUBSCRIBE - bit.ly/ILMvideo
Videos also available on Utreon - utreon.com/c/ILoveMuzzleloading/
Join the HCH to learn more about traditional horn work - www.hornguild.org
Join the CLA today to learn more about longrifle artisanship - www.longrifle.com
Join the TMLA to learn more about traditional muzzleloaders -traditionalmuzzleloadingassoci...
Join the NMLRA today to learn more about muzzleloading - www.nmlra.org
Some of our content may contain marketing links, which means we may receive a commission for purchases made via those links. Commissions help us produce content and do not affect our editorial publications. No affiliate links related to reviewed items will be included.
VIDEO CHAPTERS
Muzzleloading, muzzleloader, muzzle loader, mountain man, longhunter, bushcraft, living history, longrifle, flintlock, blackpowder
#muzzleloader #muzzleloading #blackpowder
DISCLAIMER: Our videos are strictly for documentary, educational, and entertainment purposes only. All shooting is performed in a safe environment. Imitation or the use of any acts depicted in these videos is solely AT YOUR OWN RISK. All work on firearms should be carried out by a licensed individual and all state and federal rules apply to such. We (including KZbin) will not be held liable for any injury to yourself or damage to your firearms resulting from attempting anything shown in any of our videos. We do not endorse any specific product and this video is not an attempt to sell you a good or service. We are not a gun store and DO NOT sell or deal in firearms. Such a practice is heavily regulated and subject to applicable laws. We DO NOT sell parts, magazines, or firearms. We are not instructing our viewers on how to modify firearms, accessories, or otherwise to change their basic legal function. These videos are free to watch and if anyone attempts to charge for this video notify us immediately. By viewing or flagging this video you are acknowledging the above.

[@snappers_antique_firearms]

. I couldn't think of a better person to show us these beautiful flintlock rifles. if I lived anywhere near there, I would be at rock island auction company all the time. I look at them more like a museum and everything is for sale. Keep up the great work Ethan.

[@steelcider-9508]

Man Ian’s looking weird today. Kidding, beautiful rifle, great presentation! One of the best BP muzzleloading channels.

[@briangibbs5703]

Thank You! That is a beautiful smooth rifle. It would look really great on my wall!

[@scottfoster9452]

Wow, absolutely splendid!

[@daveyjoweaver6282]

A true work of art and craftsmanship Ethan. Thank You Kindly for taking the time to show us the beauty of this classical art! DaveyJO in Lancaster County Pennsylvania

[@Miningpastpresentfuture]

Beautiful rifle. Thank you Ethan.

[@ThisOldHelmet]

Thanks for showing us these! If you happen to go back to RIA before Feb I have a gold inlaid Spanish percussion pistol there. You’re welcome to put hands on it.

[@usnchief1339]

American art at its best...thank you!

[@calebswartz6273]

Fascinating. The time it would have taken to create that rifle!

[@lae52]

Nicely done. For some reason, I wasn't aware it was a smooth rifle even though I have Kindig's book.

[@debluetailfly]

Love seeing the beauty of the old originals!

[@453421abcdefg12345]

An outstanding rifle! And a really good overview, those of us that live far away would never have such detailed views of these important historical pieces, so very many thanks for bringing these to us! Chris B.

[@ratancarpenter6140]

Hay main Indian

[@ratancarpenter6140]

Verifying rifle

[@aidanacebo9529]

that's nice and all, but that's not a rifle. you just said it's a smoothbore. it's not a rifle.

[@ILoveMuzzleloading]

The term "smooth rifle"is currently used to describe dual-purpose smoothbore muzzle loading long guns that incorporate rifle characteristics, including front and rear rifle-type open sights, thick-walled barrels, and rifle-style (versus fowler or musket-style) stock architecture.