Original U.S. Pennsylvania Style Percussion Rifle Attributed to Nathaniel Rowe of Emmitsburg, Maryland - Circa 1840

Original Item: Only One Available. Just purchased at a recent military auction! Here is a very nice octagonal barreled "Pennsylvania" style rifle, often referred to as a "Kentucky" Rifle. The design developed in Pennsylvania, and then spread down the Ohio River Valley to Kentucky, where it was very popular. It is in about 0.40" caliber, one of the common sizes we see these in, and features a 40 3/4" octagonal barrel with seven groove rifling. The rifle measures 56 3/4" in overall length, and shows a lovely oxidized patina on the metalwork overall.

This has unfortunately made any markings present on the lock and barrel impossible to read, however the style of appointments allows us to attribute this example to Nathaniel Rowe of Emmitsburg, Maryland. He was a known gunsmith working in the 1840s-1850s, and is notable for being the last apprentice of John Armstrong, also of Emmitsburg. We have found several examples of boto their work online. The lock looks to be a typical "trade" lock, however we can only see traces of the markings that were on it.

We estimate that this octagonal barrel rifle was made about 1840, and features all brass mountings, with an oval silver escutcheon on the back of the wrist, which is blank. The right side of the butt stock has a lovely brass patch box with a distinctive stylized engraved brass surround. The patch box originally was opened by a button on the bottom of the stock, however this is no longer working, so the door needs to be carefully pushed downwards to open it. The full length stock is lovely, and looks to be made from American black walnut, a very popular and strong wood to use for stocks. The butt stock has a nice cheek piece on the left hand side, and really looks great. The rest of the stock however shows wear and damage from service, with wood missing around the top and front of the lock due to powder burn. There are also some large chunks of wood missing on the right side of the barrel, and wood missing on both sides of the muzzle, particularly on the right side.

We checked the lock, and it is functional, but will fire at both the full and half cocked positions. It also is quite loose in the stock due to the missing wood, and the cap nipple cone shows heavy oxidation, with the top portion broken off. We checked the bore, and the rifling is still easily visible, however it is definitely worn, with oxidation and fouling in the grooves, and the muzzle shows a bit more oxidation than the rest of the barrel. There is an iron ramrod under the barrel, which definitely looks to be period, however we do not know if it is original.

A very nice example of a mid 19th Century "Pennsylvania" rifle, attributed to a known Maryland maker, ready to research and add to your collection!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: circa 1840
Caliber: approx .40" seven groove rifling
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 40 3/4 Inches
Overall Length: 56 3/4 Inches
Action type: Side Action Percussion Lock
Feed System: Muzzle Loading

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