(A) RARE DURS EGG FERGUSON PATENT TAKEDOWN BREECH LOADING FLINTLOCK

(A) RARE DURS EGG FERGUSON PATENT TAKEDOWN BREECH LOADING FLINTLOCK RIFLE WITH BAYONET. There were two Ferguson rifles supplied by famed London gunmaker Durs Egg to King George III and the Board of Ordnance in 1776. The board was extremely impressed with the tests, which were performed by Patrick Ferguson himself. He was very accurate with the rifle and was able to shoot accurately in poor conditions at an impressive rate of fire, from all positions, in a short period of time. Many officer’s also witnessed the trials and ordered his rifles for their private use. Walter O’Connor stated in regards to these rifles: “Internationally proclaimed one of the great rarities in antique firearms is the “Ferguson Rifle” as developed by Lt. Col. Patrick Ferguson (1744-1780) of the British 70th Regiment and patented by him in December, 1776.” Only 100 Ferguson rifles were made for military use during the Revolutionary War and only about 12 are known to exist today, with half of them in museum collections, thus unavailable to collectors. Patrick Ferguson, the patent holder for the rifle, was also an officer in the British military and served in America during the Revolutionary War. He was a Scotsman and was reputed to be the best shot in the British Army. On September 11, 1777, a detachment of British marksmen hid in the trees along Brandywine Creek, near Chadd’s Ford in Pennsylvania. They were keeping a lookout for American forces led by George Washington as 12,500 British troops marched toward Philadelphia. As he saw a senior American officer wearing a high cocked hat, 33 year old Ferguson took aim at the officer with his Ferguson rifle. He then felt remorse about ambushing the men, especially the officer, who had his back turned to Ferguson’s position. Ferguson was an officer and a gentleman. Instead of shooting, Ferguson shouted at him. The officer looked back, then slowly rode away. The officer he had aimed at was, in fact, George Washington. This well-known account is a testament to Ferguson’s character and shows how differently the Revolutionary War may have ended if he had fired. Ferguson was killed on October 7, 1780 at the battle of King’s Mountain in South Carolina. The example being offered dates from about 1785-1790. It features a tapered octagon barrel with deep seven-groove rifling and bayonet lug mounted on bottom, near the muzzle. The front sight is mounted on top and a fixed rear sight with an additional folding aperture sight leaf. The top of the barrel is inscribed “D. Egg London” behind the rear sight. Private London proofs, crown over "P" on left side of breech and crown over "V" on opposite. The top of the breech plug is engraved with floral designs. The finely executed lockplate has a flat face with beveled edges, the center inscribed “D. Egg”. Engraved sliding half-cock safety. The ramrod ferrules, rear trigger guard tang, and buttplate are all iron and have some engraving. Silver endcap. The steel trigger guard features an integral handle and is attached to the threaded Ferguson Patent breech plug. Walnut stock with diamond-section checkered wrist and rounded relief cheekpiece on left side of buttstock. Relief shell design carved behind barrel tang. Forend with a steel-lined two-piece joint for easy barrel removable and storage, where the stock could be taken off in two pieces. Complete with its original triangular socket bayonet marked "DAWES" and stamped with a crown. Spring mechanism to keep bayonet secure. CONDITION: Rifling crisp. Barrel shows some very light pitting, edge wear and some wear to inscription. Lock and mechanism are crisp and function properly. Furniture retains a grey freckled patina. Stock shows scattered denting, bruising and marks from use. Some minor chipping along barrel and minor hairline age cracks. Original horn-tipped wooden ramrod. Bayonet cleaned but condition good. A very rare, attractive and important officer's fusil. Name Value Accessories Bayonet Barrel Length 33" Caliber/Bore .59 Rifled FFL Status Antique Manufacturer Durs Egg Model Ferguson Patent Serial Number NSN, Name, Value, Accessories, Bayonet, Barrel Length, 33", Caliber/Bore, .59 Rifled, FFL Status, Antique, Manufacturer, Durs Egg, Model, Ferguson Patent, Serial Number, NSN

Estimate:$30,000

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