Classic Bucks County Smoothbore Attributed to John Shuler | Incised Carved Flintlock

This classic Bucks County "smooth rifle" is attributed to gunmaker John Shuler based on the "fish head: design on both sides of the ramrod entry pipe finial. This has been seen on examples signed by Shuler who was active c. 1800-1817 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and then from 1817 to 1822 in Liverpool, Perry County, Pennsylvania. The octagon to round smoothbore barrel has a fixed brass blade front sight and a dovetailed notch rear sight. The lock has a grooved tail and faceted priming pan. The mounts are brass and include the noted engraved ramrod entry pipe and distinctive downward folding patchbox with floral engraving and a release under the toe plate. The Bucks County buttplate has a half-moon finial on the heel extension. The stock has fine molding along the length of the forend, incised carving at the flats and barrel tang, molding along the underside of the butt, and beautiful incised scroll carving flanking the cheekpiece.