Gorgeous golden age rifle by Abraham Johnson (1793-1866). His first name also appears in records spelled "Abram" and "Abiram." His sons Joel and Lemuel Johnson were born in 1822 and 1824 respectively in Ohio and were also gunmakers as was at least one of his grandsons. Census records from 1850 list "Abram Johnson" as a 57 year old gunsmith living in Nottingham Township, Harrison County, Ohio, and born in Maryland. Other period sources indicate he also lived in Washington County, Pennsylvania, 60 miles to the east, before moving to Ohio. His rifles clearly show influence of the Emmitsburg, Maryland, gunmakers like John Armstrong. Note the gadroon effect with silver plate ahead of the lock. Other elements resemble aspects of the Chambersburg rifles built just north of Emmitsburg in Pennsylvania. The A. Johnson rifle on page 42 of "Kentucky Rifles & Pistols, 1750-1850" and in "Ohio Long Rifles Volume I" has very similar designs on the left side of the butt in carving (without silver inlays in the books) and also has similar flats and patch box elements. The barrel is signed "A Johnson Ohio" in script on an inlaid silver inscription plate behind the rear sight. It has traditional blade and notch sights, silver bands at the muzzle and breech, double set triggers, a "LONDON/WARRANTED" marked lock with simple engraving, over 30 engraved silver inlays on the stock (many situated on top of raised carving), a patriotic eagle motif on the brass wear plate on the forearm, engraved and pierced side plate, finely engraved patch box with pierced finial and side plates, and pierced and engraved toe plate with a silver inlay connecting it to the rear of the trigger guard. The final piercing at the rear contains the subtle patch box release button, and there are only a few small gaps between the silver work and brass components between the ramrod entry pipe and toe of the buttplate. Some of the engraved inlays are in particularly interesting folk art designs. Note the Indian head with "Mohawk" style hair on the left ahead of the hunter's star and the pointing hand on the opposite side, for example. The latter is often used as a spiritual symbol indicating someone is following a religious path and going towards their destiny. The silver plate below the cheekpiece is hand inscribed "RD" and "D BOON(e) 1783 [sic]". The inscription appears to be period, but the rifle was obviously built well-after 1783 given the gunmaker was not born until 1793 and appears to not have moved to Ohio until around 1820. Daniel Boone (1734-1820) moved to Missouri in 1799, then Spanish territory, and Daniel Morgan Boone Jr. (1769-1839), his third son, went ahead of the family to Missouri two years earlier. The rifle was unlikely owned by either of them, but the inscription may relate to a member of the extended Boone family which included other members named Daniel. Alternatively, it may have been added in the period to commemorate Daniel Boone and the end of the Revolutionary War in 1783. Boone was a well-known folk hero and participated in the final events of the war in the United States: the Battle of Blue Licks and George Roger Clark's expedition into Ohio in 1782. He lost his second born son, Israel, in the former battle, and the capture of Boone's daughter Jemima and his rescues of her and the Callaway girls helped shape the story of James Fenimore Cooper's famous novel: "The Last of the Mohicans" which came out around the time this rifle was built, just six years after Boone's death. Included with the rifle are a series of photographs for a display, documents discussing Daniel Boone, and a limited edition print of Boone with certificate of authenticity.

Very fine as professionally restored by Master Gunsmith and renowned long antique firearms restorer Brian C. LaMaster of West Virginia, former president of both the Kentucky Rifle Association and Kentucky Rifle Foundation. He confirmed a few of the silver inlays are carefully fitted replacements, and he repaired the forend and reconverted the lock. The barrel and lock have a dark brown blend of patina, oxidation, and mostly mild pitting. The silver and brass display dark aged patinas. The trigger guard has textured corrosion. Most of the markings and engraving patterns are clear, but the engraving on the wear plate is faded on the bottom. The stock is fine and has a repair at the entry pipe, some faint splices on the forend, chips and slivers absent from the edges, some partially smoothed carving (mostly the incised lines and scrolls), mixed patina, some nice flame figure still showing through, and various scrapes and dings. Mechanically fine. The print has a small tear on the bottom right corner and minor creasing. The rifle only has subtle restoration work and has the look of being right out of the attic.