Flayderman's Guide indicates George D. H. Gillespie was a hardware merchant in New York City in the 1850s and 1860s and noted that he is believed to have been retailing guns made by other New York gunmakers, including copies of Henry Deringer's iconic pocket pistols. It is unknown if he was related to the Gillespie gunmakers of North Carolina earlier in the 19th century who are famously said to have made one of Daniel Boone's rifles. This classic 19th century American half-stock rifle likely originates from New York and is signed "GILLESPIE" on the barrel and the back action lock and displays attractive scroll engraving, a hunter scene on the patchbox lid, German silver mounts, a short turned down section at the muzzle for use with a starter, dovetailed brass blade front sight, dovetailed notch rear sight, double set triggers, and a nicely figured walnut stock with a checkered wrist and star inlay on the oval shadowline cheekpiece.

Fine with period refinished brown along the barrel and the lock plate mostly silvered out gray, mild oxidation/pitting, distinct engraving, attractively aged patina on the German silver mounts, and some dings and scratches. The stock is very fine and has crisp checkering, glossy finish, scattered dings and scratches, and minor flakes. Mechanically fine.