This rifle is signed "A: Schweitzer" in script on the top of the swamped barrel and is marked "TRYON/PHILADA" on the lock. Abraham Schweitzer (1769-1831) was active in Pennsylvania, in the late 18th and early 19th century. In the late 18th century, he appears to have been based in Lancaster and was located in Antrim Township and Chambersburg, Pennsylvania in the early 19th century. He is known to have purchased locks from outside companies as was common in that era and George Tryon is known to have been active making firearms and gun locks in Philadelphia starting in 1811. Joe Kidding Jr. discusses Schweitzer and presents several pictures of his rifles on pages 485-491 of Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle in Its Golden Age. He notes that Schweitzer was "a very good engraver, very good designer of patch boxes and a very good carver." This rifle has a true "Golden Age" style design and is similar to several of the rifles pictured. It has the typical early style rifling, brass blade front and notch rear sights, double set triggers, brass furniture and a full length curly maple stock with carved scroll designs on the left side of the butt and at the breech, carved lines terminating in scrolls on the forend, a brass forend cap, a lightly raised cheekpiece with engraved silver moon inlay, silver thumb piece and an ornate brass patch box. The breech, side plate, lock plate, hammer, patch box, and lower buttplate tang are all engraved. It includes a maple ramrod.

Very good plus as found. The barrel has some faded brown finish mixed with a blend of gray and brown patina. The hammer has a dark brown patina, and the lock has mostly a dark gray patina. The silver and brass furniture have an attractive well aged patina. The stock is good with some cracks including a break extending from the tail of the lock through the wrist, flash damage above the lock, a small crack a repair on the toe, small chips and overall minor scratches. The patch box latch needs a little work. The lock and set triggers are excellent and the markings are clear.