Flintlock Longrifle

Samuel Baum Sr.

ca. 1830–40 · Steel, wood (curly maple, ash), brass, silver, bone · Arms and Armor

This rifle has several features that are characteristic of the Upper Susquehanna School, sometimes also called the Sunbury School or the Northumberland School, encompassing Union, Snyder, and Northumberland Counties in east-central Pennsylvania. The upper and lower plates of the patch box, the shape of the side plate (opposite the lock), and the silver inlays shaped like fish and crescent moons were popular with gunsmiths in this region. The style of the engraving, the presence of inset bone or ivory plaques in the decoration, and the rare use of a detachable forestock (known as a takedown stock) suggest the work of Samuel Baum Sr., or someone influenced by him. Baum was a prolific gunsmith and one of only a few to make rifles with this type of forestock.

Artist

Samuel Baum Sr.

Date

ca. 1830–40

Medium

Steel, wood (curly maple, ash), brass, silver, bone

Culture

American, New Berlin, Union County, Pennsylvania

Department

Arms and Armor

Credit line

Gift of Marion Eppley, 1956