This is an attractive example by a seldom seen maker from one of the influential early American gunmaking families and has a dot pattern at the muzzle, traditional blade and notch sights, "[?]*Shell" on top between the breech and rear sight, "JOSH GOLCHER" lock, double set triggers, German silver thumb plate and folk art crescent moon cheekpiece plate, an attractive engraved patch box with double pierced side plates and domed lid, and patch box release in the long toe plate which has a spire style finial. The first initial on the barrel is mostly faded but is likely the left side of a script "D." The rifle was very likely built by Daniel Shell (1793-1864) and is similar to another of his signed guns. He was the son of Revolutionary War gunmaker Martin Shell and the younger brother John Shell. The family was active in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. Both Daniel and John served in the Pennsylvania militia during the War of 1812.

Good as reconverted with artificially applied dark brown patina and mild pitting and oxidation on the lock and barrel, aged patina on the brass and German silver, spiced forend, minor repaired cracks, chips absent at the top of the lock, and some attractive flame figure on the dark stained refinished stock. Mechanically needs work.