DICKERT RIFLES

[dgras]

Reading the postings about the contract rifles, and guns for the mountain man, what is everyones thoughts on the plain uncarved Dickerts, possibly those made to fill office of indian trade contracts? I have always been intrigued by the variety of styles by Dickert and the ongoing production by son-in-law, and grandsons, always maintaining a relationship with indian trade by the gov't and private companies.

[sean]

Dale,

I was just reading something today that was excerpted from Moller's book. In 1807, Dickert became associated with a group called Dickert, Dehuff, and Co. for government contracts. The group also included John Bender, George Miller, Christopher Gumpf, and Peter Gonter. From about 1807-1811, this group produced 404 rifles for the US Indian Department. The rifles were described as "common" or "silvered", and went for $10.50 or $11.00 each respectively. The 'silvered' rifles are thought to have described the addition of silver cheek and wrist inlays. All were brass mounted with barrels ranging from .54-.57 cal. These rifles were being produced by the group at the same time they were also being contracted to produce 600 1807 US contract rifles for $10.00 each. See this link for info on the 1807 for comparison:

asoac.org/bulletins/97_flanagan_1792.pdf

I've seen two Dickert-signed 1807s that both saw use well after their army days. Both were converted to percussion. I've also seen other 1807's that had been tacked up, possibly suggesting Native use. I suspect that the extra $0.50-1.00 for the Indian guns potentially bought a bit of rough engraving, maybe a longer barrel and the inlays mentioned above. There are a couple examples of Peter Gonter rifles that fit this description that were published in one of Whisker's books. Here is one of them that came up for sale recently:







Sean