The lock is marked "W.C. & CO./RUSK TEX." (Whitescarver, Campbell & Co.), and the barrel is signed "LNL" (unknown) in dots. The muzzle is turned down for use with a starter. It is equipped with a globe front sight, full buckhorn rear sight, extra rear sight dovetail, bases for a scope, double set triggers, pewter forend cap, mix of brass and German silver fittings, and weighs over 25 lbs. The consignor indicated it is believed to be Texas Confederate sharpshooter's rifle. Whitescarver, Campbell, & Co. was run by John L. Whitescarver, a blacksmith and Rusk's second mayor, and William H. and Benjamin F. Campbell. They manufactured rifles for the Texas Military Board during the Civil War. It is reported that they received a contract on April 18, 1862, 350 rifles and another contract for 350 rifles with modifications to the rear sight and an added bayonet stud to the barrel on June 30, 1862. Total contracted rifles from the company is believed to be around 900. These rifles would have been more traditional rifle-muskets like those shown in the chapter on Texas contract rifles in "Confederate Rifles & Muskets" by Murphy and Madaus. In the push to arm the troops in both the North and South a wide variety of sporting rifles, outdated muskets, shotguns, and other arms were pushed into service and some heavy target rifles are known to have been used by both Union and Confederate sharpshooters.

Good with brown patina on most of the iron, some patches of mild pitting, re-soldered front sight and ramrod pipes, crisp markings, general small scratches and marks, mild edge wear, and some minor cracks and a chip on the stock ahead of the bolster. Mechanically fine. Overall a robust target rifle with the mark of a known supplier to the State of Texas during the Civil War.