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Our Premier Exhibit in the Newly Renovated Palmer Gallery!
BERKS COUNTY LONGRIFLES AND GUNMAKERS: 1750-1900
An exhibit of rare antique rifles & accoutrements made in Berks County
September 12—December 31, 2009
Exhibit includes 53 rifles, 4 pistols and an extensive collection of rare powder horns, as well as gun barrels and
gunmaker’s tools made in Berks County from 1750—1900.
Highlights of the exhibit:
14 rifles from the famous Joe Kindig, Jr. collection—1750-1830
The first signed and dated rifle made in Reading, PA— 1761
A rare elaborate rifle by Anthony Fricker, c1800, never before on public display
Examples of rifles by each member of the famous Angstadt gunmaking family, 1700-1850
Rare William Shener rifle and pistol, c1790
The only extant swivel breach rifle by Leonard Reedy, c1800
The rare folk art rifle by Johannes Neff, dated 1808
The only known child’s rifle and fowler, c1790, built by Wolfgang Haga
An 18th century German Jaeger rifle that strongly influenced the early Berks County gunsmiths
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