This rifle has over twenty silver inlays in the stock including a large plate on the cheek rest engraved with a patriotic bald eagle design and inscribed "Thomas R Sutton" in script possibly for Thomas Ranken Patton (1824-1907) of Philadelphia. The lock is signed "JM", and the barrel is signed " *J * M * ." The handmade lock and barrel and patch box style are similar to identified rifles originating from Bedford County, Pennsylvania. The long, low comb and style of silver inlays also suggests Bedford County. Potential makers include Jacob Mier (1793-1873), his son John Mier (1829-1909), and Joseph Mills (1790-1876). The scroll carving on the Joseph Mills rifles on page 100-111 of "Bedford, Somerset and Fulton County Gunsmiths" by Whisker are often very similar, and the limited engraving and patch box finial styles are similar to multiple of those Mill's rifles. A brass wear plate connects the ramrod entry pipe to the trigger guard finial, and a toe plate extends from the trigger guard tang to the buttplate creating a brass "belly" along the entire rifle. A modern ramrod is fitted below the barrel. Notes included with the rifle indicate it was once purchased from Norm Flayderman back in 1978. The inside of the trigger guard has a "Teller 8" collection marking.

Good. The barrel and lock have brown patina throughout, scattered dings and marks, and some mild flash pitting at the breech. The brass and silver have attractive aged patinas. The refinished stock is good with excessive varnish applied to the raised carving on buttstock. There are five replaced silver inlays, a few replacement pins, light scratches, attractive flame figure, distinct carving, a tension crack at the lock screw, and a repaired crack in the stock on the forend. The lock is technically functional but is quite weak and has a poorly modified mainspring. The markings and engraving patterns are crisp.