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Unmarked Percussion Kentucky Rifle with Carved Buttstock

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military / Long Guns - Rifles Start Price:1,000.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
Unmarked Percussion Kentucky Rifle with Carved Buttstock
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Unmarked Percussion Kentucky Rifle with Carved Buttstock

This Kentucky rifle is absent of any markings, but has many characteristics of the Kentucky rifles made by Samuel Meier, a Gunmaker in Elk Lick Township in Somerset County, Pa. from 1860 to 1879. The characteristics include the ornate brass patch box, double set triggers, brass trigger guard with finger spur and grip extension, lightly carved buttstock and silver inlay on the cheek piece. The barrel is fitted with a blade front sight and dovetailed fixed iron rear sight. Lightly engraved hammer and lock, wooden ramrod and drum style percussion bolster. The rifle is mounted with a tiger stripe maple full stock with a brass forend cap, lightly engraved brass left side plate and crescent brass buttplate with a 4 3/4 inch brass toe extension. The silver inlaid oval on the cheek piece is engraved with a duck and below the cheek piece is scroll carved. The ornate brass patch box and attaching brass is lightly engraved. Lightly scratched into the attaching brass is "1879/SE2/MF". Comes with research from "Gunsmiths of Bedford, Fulton, Huntingdon & Somerset Counties" by Whisker and Yantz.

Manufacture: Kentucky
Model: Percussion
BBL: 35 1/2 inch octagon
Stock: maple
Gauge: 38
Finish: brown
Grips:
Serial Number: NSN

Good. The metal surfaces have a brown and gray patina with flash pitting on the breech end of the barrel, barrel tang, bolster, hammer and lock. The revarnished stock is also good with some scattered minor cracks, a moderate chip above the lock and overall minor handling marks. Most of the cracks are due to age. The brass components have been cleaned some time ago and most taking on an aged patina with the ramrod pipes having a brighter appearance. The action needs work, the hammer does not hold a cock position. Most of the engraving remains visible.