Large bore Kentucky or Plains Rifle

Large bore Kentucky/ Plains Rifle.  Unmarked half-stock rifle in walnut with a cherry colored finish. The plain iron barrel in .50 caliber, measures 37 3/4 inches, with iron rib with two iron pipes for ramrod. A single wedge behind the cap is the only one used. The nose cap at half stock is pewter. All other furniture is brass. The rear sight is a simple buckhorn type with a front sight that appears to have held a silver blade long missing.

The lock is original to the rifle, and was made by Goulcher with some engraving. The lock functions but not crisp. The furniture is typical for the 1840s-60s era.  The buttplate, just waiting to be used here, was made for a tang button that would release the patch box door, which this rifle never had, evidence of the hole.  The gun overall has a never touched look, with a great and honest patina. A lot of this type of rifle were made of cheaper quality to fit the purse of those traveling to the West in the mid 19th Century. It shows it has been used a fair amount.  Ramrod is an old replacement.

Minor dings, and small scratching in the stock, but nothing glaring. A nice honest gun for the common man.  53 inches overall.