This gun has many similar aspects to known pieces signed by Golden Age American longrifle makers John Moll and Herman Rupp. See for example rifle No. 57 in "Rifles of Colonial America Vol. 1" by Shumway signed "HERMAN RUPP 1793" and the John Moll rifles in "Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle in Its Golden Age" by Kindig. The patch box finial and decorations are nearly identical to the John Moll patch box shown on page 284 of "Kentucky Rifle Patchboxes & Barrel Marks" by Chandler. This smoothbore may have originally been rifled and later bored out or have been made as a "smooth rifle" all along. It is a very attractive example of the Golden Aged arms of this region. Attached to the trigger guard is a silver plate engraved "Kentucky Rifle Assn./1981/Best Non Carved Rifle." The barrel has a silver blade front sight and iron notch rear sight. The flat-faced lock plate has beveled edges, a pointed tail, a fenced iron pan, and no visible markings. The stock appears to be cherry and has brass and silver fittings, simple molding, and no carving. The brass sideplate is the classic Moll and Rupp style with a rear arrow finial. The brass trigger guard has a spurred grip extension and squared finials. The wide, curved buttplate has a faceted heel and square toe. The brass patch box is the classic design noted above and has some light engraving. The oval silver wrist escutcheon is secured by two pins and is engraved with floral and border designs, and the cheek piece has a second silver inlay and is a design found on Moll and Rupp rifles. It is similar to the German hunter's star often found on German and early American rifles but with a more floral style and has floral engraving. It is secured by four pins.
Very good. The barrel has an even brown patina. There is some minor pitting at the breech and faint signs of work at the vent. The reconverted lock also has dark patina and mild pitting, a resurfaced frizzen, and tail set back into the stock. The brass and silver furniture display attractive aged patinas and mostly distinct engraving. The stock is also very good and has a very attractive dark patina, some scattered handling marks, some thin cracks and faint stabilized cracks in the forend, minor flakes at the edges, and This is an exceptional, award-winning, Golden Age Pennsylvania rifle.
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