An exceptionally handsome and finely made American hunting rifle, Pennsylvania, circa 1835. This extensively brass mounted rifle with full four piece patch box, full saddle-plate, long stock comb plate, and sixteen german silver inlays clearly represents a 'Deluxe' rifle of its period. The stock is also a boldly grained example of 'Tiger Maple'. The American hunting rifle of the early nineteenth century, which descended from the Pennsylvania Longrifle, is a unique American design - true Americana.

In the first half of the nineteenth century the rifle was one of a person's most important posessions and a status symbol for its owner. A rifle like this was individually hand made for its owner by a highly skilled riflemaker who had to be expert in working steel, wood, and inlays. This rifle was built toward the end of the period when American rifles were completely individual pieces displaying regional characteristics in their stock design and inlay forms. The several german silver inlays on this stock of a stylized 'fish' or 'arrowhead' are a unique design. This rifle was also clearly built for someone of stature in his community.

This rifle is a powerful twelve pound .50 calibre weapon intended for dealing with large and dangerous game of all kinds. generally a rifle this powerful was not required for local Pennsylvania hunting. The presence of a full brass saddleplate on the bottom of the forestock indicates the owner of this fine rifle traveled on horseback. Rifles of the period were commonly carried balanced across the front of the saddle seat. The balance point of the rifle was around the middle of the forestock and the weight of the rifle combined with the horse's movement and resultant saddle movement could create considerable wear on the forestock which a saddleplate prevented. The large bore, heavy barrel, and saddleplate are attributes of rifles that were designed for usage on the American Frontier. We believe it quite possible this rifle was built for an early California, Oregon, or SantaFe traveler/trader of means.

This rifle is very well made displaying excellent form, quality of inlay, and 'feel'. The tiger striped maple stock is especially attractive. The rifle is also fitted with double-set-triggers which allow the user to 'set' the rear trigger so the front one becomes 'hair trigger'. On this rifle this also acts as a safety in that the rifle cannot be fired when cocked until the rear trigger is 'set' (this is a feature on numbers of rifles built in the percussion ignition period). In the period of this rifle almost all makers bought their gun-locks from centrally located gun-lock suppliers in Philadelphia, New York, etc. These percussion and flintlocks were either imported from England or made by specialist American lockmakers. The lock on this rifle is marked, 'C.Baker', who only made/sold the lock. American riflemakers had found it quite practical to purchase good locks rather than make them which left them free to concentrate on the critical job of boring and rifling their barrels. This rifle doesn not bear any maker's marks. It does not have any engraving at all. After years of pondering why so many fine early American arms are unsigned we have come to the opinion that the expert craftsmen who built these arms didn't do engraving. Engraving metal is a very specialized skill requiring special tools and lots of training and practice. For many early American riflemakers learning engraving was far less important than building a good rifle in a reasonable amount of time for someone who needed it to provide food and security.

In addition to being handsome this rifle is in especially fine condition. The barrel edges are clean and sharp, the combination of old brown finish and patina is fine and the barrel is deeply rifled. The lock and set trigger mechanism are in fine condition. There is only some light pitting around the percussion nipple from using early corrosive percussion caps. The lock retains its proper natural steel color. The stock retains its old/original dark hand rubbed finish with soft gleam and excellent patina, and the brass and german silver mountings are clean with a nice light age patina. The brass tipped hickory ramrod also has a fine patina.

This fine rifle is a credit to its maker and has clearly been very well cared for and appreciated over the years. It would certainly be a fine addition to a collection American arms, Frontier arms, and/or Americana.

Please view the four additional pages of overall and detail pictures of this piece by following the directions above the lead picture.

Overall Length: 51", Barrel Length: 36", 50 cal.
Price: $2950.00