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This rifles barrel is coned at the muzzle and has distinct rifling and traditional blade and notch sights. The breech section of the barrel is signed “John
Armstrong” in script. The lock plate has a script “JA” marking at center, lined borders, and some simple engraving. It has a full-length maple stock
with fine molding and raised relief floral and scroll carving in classic Armstrong patterns, including a fleur-de-lis style motif on the forend, attractive
tear drop flats, scroll carving at the barrel tang and rear of the wrist, the distinctive raised checkered pattern below the cheekpiece, and a gadroon
and scroll design behind the cheekpiece. The wrist has a blank silver escutcheon, and the silver cheekpiece plate is engraved with a federal eagle
and shield design. The remaining furniture is brass, and includes a distinctive four-piece patchbox with fine engraving and pierced sections on the
finial and sideplates. The patchbox release is in the engraved toeplate. A tow worm is inside the patchbox. The sideplate is also engraved, and the
buttplate is faceted at the tang. The long and slender rifle measures 59 inches from muzzle to heel and weighs just under 8 pounds.
The cheekpiece inlay has the name “J Morrison” lightly signed in cursive towards the top. Their identity is not confirmed, but Morrison may have
been the original owner of the rifle or at least one of the early owners of the rifle. There were a few J. Morrisons buried in Maryland in the period,
including Jesse Jacob Morrison (1807-1874) of Boonsboro which was founded by Daniel Boone’s cousin George in 1792 and is located on what
became the National Road.