Signed "J M", John Meals, Menallen Township, Adams County, Pennsylvania ca 1830

John Meals was one of the greatest gunsmiths of the late Golden Age. He was born in York (now Adams) County in 1789 and lived there until his death in 1852. Kindig illustrates some highly decorated examples of Meals' work and describes him as a talented gunsmith that varied his designs. This example shows the quality and extent of his artistic ability with fine engraving in the usual places as well as on the bow of the trigger guard, and the top extension of the butt plate. The high relief carving appears in the ususal places and is comprised of C scrolls, S scrolls, Floral motifs, and cross hatching all ofwhich is well done. Meals carved intricate forestock molding in the York County style; a very desireable detail.

The barrel is 39 inches long, its original length and about .54 cal with circle and dot decoration on the muzzle. The lock is signed in script J M for John Meals and likely made by him. A brass vent pick tube is under the cheek piece though the rifle has always been percussion. The lock is unquestionably original to the rifle. The patchbox design is similar to his other signed rifles but is more extensively engraved. Several silver inlays, some extensively engraved, decorate the curly maple stock. Some minor slivers along the forestock and a chip behind the lock have been expertly restored. All inlays are original.

The surface quality of the rifle is exquisite; it is an original undisturbed finish. It is rare to find a rifle of this artistic merit in nice old condition without major restoration. Pictured in Kentucky Rifle Patchboxes vol 2 #266.

Available at $12,450.00