William W. Wetmore built fine rifles, many designed for use with Picket bullets, in the mid to late 19th century. He was also the co-inventor of a magazine system for the Springfield trapdoor, worked for Smith & Wesson, and was part of the team, along with Charles S. Wells, that developed the Winchester Wetmore-Wells revolver. Heavy target rifles like this were primarily meant for target shooting but are also pressed into military service and known to have been used by Sharpshooters during the Civil War, including the Berdan Sharpshooters. It features holes for fitting a false muzzle, a bone blade front sight, adjustable sporting rear sight, "W.W. WETMORE/LEBANON, N.H." on the upper left barrel flat, a tap in the upper tang for a peep sight, plain back action lock, double set triggers, hooked trigger guard, and smooth walnut buttstock with a "73" stamped brass collection inventory tag on the left side of the wrist.

Fine with patterns of case collors on the action, smooth brown and gray patina on the barrel, light surface oxidation, and some minor scattered scratches and marks. The stock is also fine other than a hairline crack on the left flat and has some scattered minor pressure marks and scratches. Mechanically fine.