Signed J Stonsifer, John Stonesifer II, Cumberland, MD ca 1835

John Stonesifer was born in 1786 and learned his trade (both gunsmith and clock maker) from his father in Hagerstown, Maryland. John moved to Cumberland, MD and his son John III was born there in 1808. John III learned the gunsmithing trade from his father and settled in Boonsboro, MD. This example is by John II, I believe, because he used the National Road patchbox and his engraving skills are comensurate with clock making.

On this rifle John clearly shows he is a master engraver and a master in design. The patchbox is an exquisite example; not only does the engraving create the space for piercings its placement on the butt stock is in perfect symmetry. He is using elements of the region inwhich he was influenced during his apprenticeship. ie. the northern Shenandoah Valley acorn, the heart and bellflower piercings in the toeplate of Emmitsburg, and the often used Maryland eagle cheekpiece inlay.

The rifled barrel is 42.5" long and about .42 cal. The adjustable peepsight is a heavy duty improvement which gave the shooter an advantage open sights can't offer. Stonesifer used a finish that turned almost black on two of his better rifles; this one and another at the KRF sponsored B&O railroad museum exhibit in 2013. This surface created a perfect background for a recent repair made to the forestock in front of the rear ramrod pipe where the stock had broken due to mishandling. The barrel is held by hooks peened to the bottom of the barrel to engage pins hidden by the silver eschutceons. The barrel must be slid forward after removing the lock and tang screw for removal.

Not often does a superb example of the post Golden Age rifle turn up. Gunsmiths who trained and worked in the Golden Age were able to produce a great rifle in this era at a client's request.

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