This is an excellent example of a heavy barrel target rifle manufactured by Morgan James, a well known Gunmaker in the mid 1800s from Utica, New York. The barrel and scope are brown and the remaining parts are casehardened. The frame, hammer, trigger guard and parts of the breech plug are decorated with floral scroll and punch dot engraving. The upper left barrel flat is marked "M. JAMES/UTICA N.Y." The heavy barrel gauges at 45 caliber and 3/8 inch of the muzzle is machined round. There is a 9 3/4 inch ram rod finial at the breech end and two iron pipes forward of that which hold the original brass tipped hickory ramrod. The rifle is fitted with a 37 3/4 inch scope marked "M. JAMES/UTICA N.Y." on the top. Morgan was also known for his scope making. The scope is mounted with a dovetailed ring on the muzzle and base mounted on the upper tang. The barrel has two drilled and tapped holes 7 1/4 inches ahead of the breech for rear sight mounting. Double set triggers, finger spur trigger guard with decorative extension and mounted with a smooth straight grip tiger strip varnished walnut stock with a decoration engraved iron patch box and crescent buttplate with floral scroll and scallop bordered engraved tang and toe extension. The rifle is complete with a period wooden case with black stenciled "J W.R" on one end. The rifle also comes with two iron patch cutters, two brass bullet starters, two nipple wrenches, eight 2 inch screws, small metal container and a brass single cavity bullet mold with iron sprue cutter and wooden handles.

Extremely fine. The barrel and scope retain 95% original brown finish with some minor thinning and edge wear. The scope has a small area that has been cleaned and the optics are clouded with brown spots. The receiver and breech plug retain 75% plus original vivid case colors with a smooth dove gray patina on the balance. The patch box retains strong original muted case colors on the lid and the balance of the casehardened parts have a smooth gray patina. The stock is also excellent with 98% original varnish remaining and showing a few minor scratches and dents. The hammer spur is broken off, otherwise the action functions well. The markings are crisp and clear. The period wooden case is good with a few chunks of wood absent, a slightly warped lid and a few minor cracks. The accessories are all very good, the small metal container has a solder repair on the seam, the bullet mold has a replacement sprue cutter with a different handle, the patch cutters and nipple wrenches have a dark patina and the bullet starters have a dark aged patina.