(A) MEWHIRTER SIGNED FLINTLOCK KENTUCKY RIFLE.

Unusual three-stage buck-and-ball barrel with brass front blade sight and notched rear sight. Barrel inscribed "J. Mewhirter". According to "The Kentucky Rifle in it's Golden Age" by Joe Kindig, Jr., John Mewhirter worked in Shippensburg Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, until about 1828. The author believed that Mewhirter was associated with John Armstrong, Abraham Schweitzer, and J. Clark. The Kentucky shown on page 495 has very similar engraving and the same style of patch box finial. In "The Pennsylvania-Kentucky Rifle" by Henry Kaiufman, Mewhirter is included as part of the Franklin County School because of his stylistic similarities. The flat lockplate has a stepped tail section and is marked "LONDON / WARRANTED" in the center. Brass furniture, including a four-piece brass patchbox with "Q" finial and a flat rocker-panel engraved sideplate. Silver-inlaid star above cheekpiece and oval wrist escutcheon. Figured tiger maple stock with checkered wrist. Later ramrod. CONDITION: Barrel retains a mostly brown patina, signature excellent. Lock is a good professional reconversion and retains a brown surface, functions properly. Silver and brass have been polished. Stock shows some removed finish from polishing brass. Forend shows a couple cracks and one sliver absent along barrel on left side. Barrel Length: 44 - 3/4" Caliber/Bore: .54 Smoothbore FFL Status: Antique Manufacturer: Mewhirter Model: Kentucky Rifle Serial Number: NSN