Antique Kentucky-Style Percussion Rifle

Antique Kentucky-style half-stock percussion rifle. 31.5” Octagon barrel. Caliber unknown. This percussion rifle features a wood stock with steel hardware including lock plate, hammer, and trigger. The patch box, crescent butt plate, and trigger guard appear to be a nickel-plated steel. The lock plate is engraved with a floral hunt scene featuring a hunting dog. The forestock is set with a pewter nose cap. The underside of the barrel is stamped with a word ending in “ington” (1st few characters are illegible.) The rifle is mechanically non- functioning. The hammer only stays at half cock. The trigger mechanism no longer fires the hammer. This indicates heavy wear or damage to internal mechanisms and springs. Cosmetically, the rifle is in okay condition. The barrel has acquired an even brown patina. The lock is visibly pitted. The stock contains period breaks and cracks which appear to have been professionally stabilized and repaired. The metal key that holds the stock to the barrel is missing. The ramrod is a contemporary handmade replacement. The trigger appears to be a period handmade replacement. The bore has not been visually inspected (requires a borescope.) The rifle has been enhanced with German Silver inlays, a stag or deer on the right, and a deer or caribou on the left. The cheek rest also features a German Silver inlay of a running dog, either a greyhound or a setter. These are believed to be period adornments done during the time of use.