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Item No.:	10744	Price :	$1,395.00
Item :	MARYLAND SCHOOL AMERICAN FLINTLOCK LONG RIFLE, .50 CALIBER

Description :

This is an American Flintlock Long Rifle (Kentucky Rifle) made by Nathaniel Rowe of Emmitsburg, Maryland. Rowe became an apprentice of gunmaker John Armstrong in 1837. An apprenticeship generally lasted 5 years at this time, so Rowe would have started making signed rifles in about 1842. He is considered to be the last of the Golden Age Kentucky Rifle makers in Emmitsburg and probably the last in Maryland. He is almost certainly the only Golden Age maker to live into the 20th century, passing away on April 10, 1915. This rifle is in good condition. It appears to have been shortened at some point in its life. The octagon barrel is now is just a bit short of 37" long. A new nose cap was fashioned when the barrel was shortened. It is functional, but not quite the quality of Rowe's work in terms of fit. The barrel retains about 70% of what looks like the original browned finish. There is some rust speckling up at the muzzle end and some pitting around the pan area at the breech. The lock has a steel gray and brown patina. It appears to be the rifle's original flint lock, unusual for a rifle built in the 1840's. The brass mountings have been polished and have a golden brass patina. The patchbox has three piercings. The rifle has double set triggers. Interestingly, the heel of the brass crescent butt plate has a small iron tip dovetailed in place. Mechanically, the lock will not hold in the cocked position. This is actually a smooth rifle, a term used to describe a long arm with a smooth barrel but rifle architecture. Often a smooth bore was more versatile on the frontier. This bore is very good, mostly smooth with a brown patina. The stock is highly figured curly maple. There are some small dings and scratches overall. There is an old repair to the wrist. There is an inlaid brass plate on top of the wrist and a couple of large screws running down from the top. There is some wood erosion behind the lock. Most of the stock carving is incise carving. The ramrod is a modern replacement. This is a nice looking Kentucky Rifle by the last of the Maryland Golden Age makers. Stock no. 32499

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