George Peterman was born in 1775 in Pennsylvania and was active in Botetourt County, Virginia, in 1850 per the listing on page 55 of Gunsmiths of Virginia compiled by Whisker. Consignor notes indicate that Peterman built this rifle circa 1805. The bird patch box finial is an attribute more popular with makers in Pennsylvania but are still very rare. John Leckner for example is known to have used similar bird designs. None of the rifles from Virginia in the above work utilize this design suggesting strong Pennsylvania influence if not production. The rifle has no visible markings but has an engraved lock and furniture including thirteen silver inlays on the full length maple stock which is carved with scroll designs on the left side of the butt around the cheekpiece. Note the Bethlehem style star inlaid on the cheekpiece. It has the blade and notch sights and is equipped with double set triggers.

Very good as reconverted to flintlock configuration. The barrel and lock have a mixture of artificial brown patina and an old brown finish along with some oxidation and mild pitting. There is some fresh material in the lock inlet, and the lock has replacement parts and a missing frizzen spring screw/post. The brass and silver furniture has a pleasant aged patina. The designs on the brass are crisp, but the silver engraving is partially smoothed on some of the pieces. The professionally restored stock is very good as refinished and repaired with repaired breaks or cracks behind the forend cap, at the ramrod entry pipe, and left flat along with some small chips and scratches. The cock is a little loose, but the lock and set triggers function fine.