Daniel Marker Sr. (1774-1853) of Middletown Valley, Maryland, was the son of German immigrants and likely learned his trade from his father, George Marker Sr. (1753-1827). Two of his brothers, at least one of his sons, and one of his grandsons were also gunmakers in the same region. His work is excellent and bears influences of the Emmitsburg School. He served as the commanding officer of the 28th Regiment "Mountain Rangers" also known as "Captain Marker's Company of Riflemen" and in the 3rd Regiment of Maryland Militia during the War of 1812. Other members of the Marker family served under him. They were said to be excellent marksmen and were placed to defend Annapolis until September 1813. He raised men for the Battle of Bladensburg in 1814. The American failure to hold the British at Bladensburg led to the burning of Washington. Marker later also lived in Martinsburg, Virginia, and Sharpsburg, Maryland, before ultimately settling in Darke County, Ohio. The Markers are known to have been talented engravers. This example has engraving on the patch box and toe plate and an engraved patriotic bald eagle pattern on the cheekpiece. The bald eagle's importance as a symbol of the U.S. was strong even during the American Revolution. It is easily one of the most popular symbols found on American long rifles in the 19th century. The Founding Fathers were fond of the ancient Greeks and Romans, and the bald eagle was a natural choice given it is the only eagle found nowhere outside North America and is easily compared to the slightly larger golden eagle (found in North America, Eurasia, and North Africa) that was a very important symbol for the Roman Republic and Roman Empire. The rifle has crisp incised carving along the forend terminating in curls at the ramrod entry pipe, standard blade and notch sights, "D*Marker" in script on top of the barrel behind the rear sight, a plain trigger, an engraved "R. NORRIS" lock (Norris locks are known on other Marker rifles), and a full length maple stock.