This rifle is one of less than 300 breech loading percussion long guns manufactured by W.W. Marston of New York City, circa mid-1850s. Marston is best known for his pepperboxes, single and multi-barreled percussion and cartridge handguns. This is a unique example of an already rare gun featuring exhibition quality embellishments. The breech end of the barrel has engraved wedges of scrollwork that extend to the rear sight and two wide gold inlaid bands. The left side of the receiver is marked "Wm W. MARSTON/PATENT/NEW YORK/1850" followed by an engraved bison surrounded in scrollwork. The right side of the receiver has a large engraved eagle motif. Scrollwork extends to the fish sculpted hammer. The front underside of the receiver has a raised sculpted acorn surrounded by sculpted oak leaves. The sculpted lever is a serpent-like creature swallowing a bird. The buttplate tangs are also scroll engraved. The barrel sights are fixed, two drilled and tapped holes for possible sight mounting are featured on top of the receiver, the tang has a peep sight, and the action has a set trigger. Mounted with a checkered straight grip stock featuring a star overlay on the cheekpiece.