Welcome Mathewson (1778-1872) was active around 1800-1830 and appears to have worked in both Sutton, Mass., and Burrillville, Rhode Island. Only a select few of his rifles and smoothbore guns survive today, possibly as few as 3-7. The domed silver thumb plate and the horse head patch box finial on this rifle match that of another well-known W. Mathewson rifle passed down through his family, and the same thumb plate has been seen on some of his other guns. This example appears to be cherry stocked like his other known guns. These fairly largely caliber New England rifles are generally believed to have been produced for militia use given the lack of suitable game in the region by 1800. It has eight groove rifling, a brass blade front sight, "W Mathewson" signed on top ahead of the adjustable rear sight, bolster conversion, "T/KETLAND/& Co." marked lock with later percussion hammer engraved with scrollwork and a bestial design, light engraving and the initials "BB" or "RR" on the thumb plate, half ovoid barrel key plats along the forend which has double mold lines and a plain brass cap, tear drop and elliptical lock screw washers with light engraving, adjustable double set triggers, shallow cheek rest with double line molding, an engraved patch box with the horse head finial noted above, and a relatively flat brass buttplate with slight heel projection.

Very good with dark brown patina on the barrel and lock, mild pitting concentrated at the breech, chipping at the tip of the hammer, attractive dark aged patinas on the brass and silver, generally crisp markings and engraving patterns, some chips and long horizontal cracks visible in the stock concentrated on the forend (with missing wood), absent forward barrel keys, and general moderate wear appropriate to its age. The triggers need adjustment and currently prevent it from holding full-cock. Very few rifles by this maker survive, and his rifles are highly sought after by collectors of early New England firearms and American long rifles in general.