Looking to buy but don't have a clue about this long rifle. Please help! TIA!

[oldyellerdawg]

So I'm entering uncharted territory and have recently been introduced to old firearms where I have been offered to make an offer on this amazing Lancaster, PA long rifle. I'm hoping to become enlightened here as to what this is, the history, significance and value range. The current owner has no knowledge or information but wants to sell it and I would like to make a solid offer if I can afford it! any help will be much appreciated! Also if I can afford this I want to shoot it but lets not get ahead of myself just yet! Thanks in advance!

 

[Robby]

Looks to me like something from the Westmoreland , Allegheny counties Pa. area. Is there a makers name anywhere? Like a lot of things, the name can make a lot of difference as to value.
Robby

 

[oldyellerdawg]

Looks to me like something from the Westmoreland , Allegheny counties Pa. area. Is there a makers name anywhere? Like a lot of things, the name can make a lot of difference as to value.
Robby

Thanks for the reply. It appears to say J Christ. I tried to get a better photo of the markings.

 

[andy52]

Can't help with who made it and what about to say is conjecture on my part.
I'm pretty it's not a reproduction, the fit and finish are good for the age, it appears to be about a .40 cal. I can't tell what condition the bore is in. The first thing Id do is ask the owner if he will fire it or let you do so to be sure everything works as it should.

 

[oldyellerdawg]

Great advice! I did not look down the barrel. I’m hoping to gather as much information possible and make an offer based on it being operational. I need to seek more information before I can come near making an educated offer. Thank you for the reply!

 

[oldyellerdawg]

Thanks for the reply. It appears to say J Christ. I tried to get a better photo of the markings.

 

[russellshaffer]

Great looking old rifle. Have you dropped the ramrod in to make sure it is empty?

 

[oldyellerdawg]

Great looking old rifle. Have you dropped the ramrod in to make sure it is empty?

I did not. Didn’t mess with any of the moving parts. Took out of his soft case and took a few pics. Thanks for the reply!

 

[Stykbow]

Snap it up quick! Not many people can say they own a rifle made by the good lord himself!

 

[oldyellerdawg]

Snap it up quick! Not many people can say they own a rifle made by the good lord himself!

Any idea on a value? This gunsmith in noteworthy? Thanks for the reply. I’m starting from zero knowledge.

 

[oldyellerdawg]

Any idea on a value? This gunsmith in noteworthy? Thanks for the reply. I’m starting from zero knowledge.

ROFLMAO!

 

[jakester]

Jacob Christ, Lancaster

 

[oldyellerdawg]

Jacob Christ, Lancaster

Thanks! I’ll look into him. Hopefully I can find some info on him. I appreciate the reply!

 

[oldyellerdawg]

I found John Christ, 1805 Lancaster, PA was a gun barrel forger. Could this be a “Beck”?

 

[user 48679]

IMO, it's worth every penny you can afford to pay for it ( jes' say'in )

 

[oldyellerdawg]

IMO, it's worth every penny you can afford to pay for it ( jes' say'in )

May need to gather all of my coinage together. Wish I could find more info. I may have to go back and look closer for more markings. I sure want to know more!

 

[DuncNZ]

My Book says D Christ maker of flintlock Kentucky rifles Lancaster Pa , date unknown .

 

[cornstalk]

If @Robby is correct about Allegany County then it’s likely Jacob Christ gunsmith from 1786-unknown. Whoever it is if the barrel looks okay just buy it. Very nice.

 

[oldyellerdawg]

My Book says D Christ maker of flintlock Kentucky rifles Lancaster Pa , date unknown .

Thank you for the reply. The barrel is stamped “J Christ” and I did find a John Christ from Lancaster who was a gun barrel forger in 1805.

 

[oldyellerdawg]

Thank you for the reply. The barrel is stamped “J Christ” and I did find a John Christ from Lancaster who was a gun barrel forger in 1805.

If @Robby is correct about Allegany County then it’s likely Jacob Christ gunsmith from 1786-unknown. Whoever it is if the barrel looks okay just buy it. Very nice.

Thanks for the reply. I’ll have to inspect a bit closer! Any idea of a fair price one would expect to pay for a working rifle?