Engraved "J. Brown" on top of the barrel in script. John F. Brown worked in Poplin, NH from 1840 to 1856, Fremont, NH from 1856 to 1859 and Haverhill, Mass. from 1859 until his death in 1904. His shop has been preserved and is now on display at Greenfield Village, Henry Ford’s Museum of American History at Dearborn, Mich. Except for the decoration, this is a typical New England underhammer rifle. It is equipped with double set triggers and dovetailed block sights. Holes in the breech plug and tang indicate that it originally had a rear sight extending past the rear of the barrel to the tang. The buttplate and toe plate are brass but the ramrod pipes under the barrel are German silver. The ramrod and nipple are replacements. There are eight scroll shaped silver overlays on the stock that almost entirely cover the wood. They are attached to the stock by small silver nails and include an eleven inch long patchbox. The patchbox lid is iron and has a covering of silver. The long spring release extends the entire length of the patchbox as does the lid spring which is secured to the left side of the stock.

Partially restored with a mostly gray patina in the barrel and widely scattered light pitting. The patchbox door is replaced as is a spacer on the breech end of the barrel, which is loose. The wood is very good with minor dents and a hairline crack on the left side at the barrel. A few of the silver nails have pulled loose causing the associated German silver to raise. The spur of the hammer is missing, otherwise the action is fine. PROVENANCE: Frank Sorrells