This rifle is signed "J*S" on the distinctive Bedford lock and is attributed to riflemakers Jacob Stoudenour (1795-1863) or his brother John Jr. and would be one of their earlier and fancier rifles. This rifle is similar to Jacob Stoudenour attributed examples featured in Whisker's books on Bedford gunmakers as well as another known rifle that has "John * Stoudenour 1834" signed on a brass panel on the barrel discussed in the article "Bedford Co. - John Stoudenour" by Larry Pletcher on Blackpowdermag.com. Jacob was the more prolific riflemaker, and in "Gunsmiths of Bedford, Fulton, Huntingdon, & Somerset Counties," Whisker and Yantz note: "Most collectors believe that Stoudenour's guns represent the very finest in Bedford County gun making." They note that John also worked as a gunsmith at least in the late 1830s but was later appears to have focused on being a farmer. The lock was converted from flintlock. The rifle features over twenty silver inlays with light engraving along with incised molding and carving, including very nice raised relief scroll carving on the left side of the butt. The classic Bedford patchbox, toeplate, buttplate, trigger guard, pierced side plate, ramrod pipes, and forend cap are brass. The heel is iron.

Very good with brown patina, mild flash pitting at the breech, attractive aged patina on the silver inlays and brass furniture, and mild overall wear. The partially restored stock is also very good and has crisp carving and molding, some faint cracks and small chips, repaired cracks in the forend, and very attractive figure. The trigger must be set for the lock to hold at full-cock and functions fine.