KENTUCKY RIFLE BUCKS COUNTY 18th CENTURY

This listing is for a very slender, long incise carved Bucks County, Pennsylvania "buck and ball" Kentucky rifle made in the last quarter of the 18th century. The full strong tiger maple stock has early design incise carving behind and forward of the cheekpiece, around the barrel tang, and around the rear ramrod ferrule.  In addition, the forestock has raised carved panels on either side which run from the rear ferrule to the front ferrule The rifle measures 62 3/4 inches overall with a 47 1/2 inch octagon to round .62 caliber smooth bore barrel. The brass mounts are early and feature a rifle type of trigger guard with the rear grip rail being away from the wrist. The lock is original to the rifle and has the convex engraved plate often associated with the Colonial period.  The brass nose cap is sheet brass with the end showing the open grain of the stock.

Condition:  Very Good/Excellent with no wood restoration or repair, consistent with its age and use. The wood surface is very old, dark, and "in the black".  The brass mounts have a historic old patina. The early engraved convex lock is unsigned and is probably an English import and has been reconverted back to flint.  There are ancient small chips behind the barrel tang and the tail of the lock-see pics.