This stunning John Armstrong/Emmitsburg School style rifle was built by Wayne P. Watson and is dated 1982 and appears to be at least in part inspired by rifle no. 205 by Armstrong in "Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle in Its Golden Age" by Kindig. A decade later, Watson's renditions of Hawkeye's Killdeer rifle were famously featured in "The Last of the Mohicans." The straight octagon barrel has a silver blade front sight, notch rear sight with silver scroll finial, and "19" ahead of the "W. Watson" signed on an inlaid brass plate followed by "82" on top. The brass lock plate is signed "WW" and has some simple engraving. The barrel is secured by four brass wedges passing through pairs of engraved silver escutcheons, and the forend also features fine molding. The stock has scroll carving at the upper tang, gadroon and scroll patterns carved ahead of the flats, drop flats with silver heart inlays, a silver oval wrist escutcheon inscribed with Watson's initials "WPW", scroll carving ahead of the Armstrong style patchbox which features appropriate engraving, an engraved toe plate with a pair of heart shaped piercings and silver inlays, the rear inlay serving as the patchbox button, engraved buttplate with coordinating engraved heel extension featuring a silver heart piercing and inlay, scroll carving on the left side ahead of and behind the cheekpiece, a brass ringed silver oval cheekpiece inlay with "Liberty" over a spread-wing eagle and shield, and another engraved silver inlay below the cheekpiece. The rifle is accompanied by an "antiqued" accoutrement set that is noted as all made by noted contemporary artisan John Barrett. The set consists of a leather shot pouch with attached powder horn and priming horn both with "Liberty" and "1779" among the designs, carved powder measure, pick and brush set, another carved vent pick/measure, small carved bullet board, flints, and bone handled knife in a sheath fitted along the back of the pouch. A 2001 Lord Nelson's Gallery appraisal for the rifle indicates it formerly belonged to Robert and Jeanne Walter of New Buffalo, Michigan. Provenance: The Robert and Jeanne Walter Collection; Property of a Gentleman

Very fine overall. This contemporary rifle has a genuine antique appearance with smooth brown finish on the barrel, aged patina on the silver and brass, distinct engraving and markings, crisp carving, minor flint mark by the breech, and mostly minor age and storage related wear. Mechanically fine. This is a beautiful rifle by the maker of the Killdeer rifle from the film, "The Last of the Mohicans"!