The consignor notes that this percussion was possibly produced by Joseph Mills originally of Bedford County, Pennsylvania. Although unsigned, it has the distinctive "Bedford" arch hammer that has been seen on some confirmed Mills rifles along with another special box lock percussion rifle with a concealed action that he is believed to have produced. This rifle is very different in other regards to most other percussion rifles of the early 19th century in that it employs a brass box lock action with upper, side, and lower tangs. The hammer is off-set to the right to allow the shooter a relatively unobstructed line of sight. It has a brass front sight on a round brass base and elevation adjustable notch rear sight (elevator absent). The breech end of the octagon barrel has a German silver collar. The ramrod pipes are fitted to a brass rib and are also German silver. It was produced without a forearm and is fitted with a "piano" finished, lightly figured walnut stock with German silver inlays, light cheek pieces on both sides, and a curved brass buttplate.

Very good. The barrel retains mostly a thinned brown finish overall mixed with a well established brown patina and some light oxidation. The action has a dark patina while the trigger guard and buttplate have a more lightly aged patina. The German silver fittings are mostly bright with some aging on the ramrod pipes, breech collar, and ramrod tip. The trigger guard is bent to the left. The stock is also very good with some minor abrasions, slight modification at the top of the butt (sectioned horizontal shaped splice), and otherwise smooth, mostly glossy surfaces. The action is fine.