Martin Smith Jr. appears to have been born in Shrewsbury in 1797 and became a well-known gunmaker in Greenfield, Worcester County, Massachusetts, c. 1819-1836. He was an early adopter of the percussion system given his May 6, 1826, dated ad with "Percussion Rifles!!!" as the heading indicating he had rifles and fowling pieces available from as low as $9 dollars to over $100. He also ran advertisements seeking large quantities of cherry, curly maple, and brass for producing rifles in the early 1830s and sold the shop to W.C. Clements in 1836. This rifle features an octagon barrel with "M. SMITH" crisply stamped on top, eight-groove rifling, a fixed blade front sight, and a dovetailed notch rear sight. There are wavy silver wire inlays around the barrel tang, a feature noted on other rifles by Smith as well as by other gunmakers from his region such as Silas Allen Jr. under whom he apprenticed. The lock is marked "GOLCHER" and has some floral designs. The trigger is brass (another regional feature) and is enclosed in a brass trigger guard with a distinctive pointed finial that is the same design seen on other Worcester County rifles. The two-piece patchbox has a wavy line border and a deep cavity. The other brass furniture is plain. The stock is also fairly simple aside from the checkering on the wrist and shallow cheekrest.

Very good as reconverted to flintlock configuration with mix of gray and brown patina and applied brown on the lock and barrel, some mild pitting, attractive aged patina on the brass, and general mild overall wear. The stock is fine and has a few minor cracks, distinct but lightly worn checkering, and scattered dings and scratches. Mechanically fine.