Jacob S. Paulmer (1810- was a gunmaker in Washington County, Pennsylvania, then Stark County, Ohio, around 1833, and finally Dekalb Country, Indiana, in 1850. See the articles by Shelby Gallien through The Association of Ohio Long Rifle Collectors for more info. Paulmer is particularly noteworthy in that this guns display incised carving more commonly found on earlier guns. The barrel is signed "Jacob * S * Paulmer" on top with scroll accents ("er" re-added on a dovetail blank) and has contemporary marking "F.L. BISHOP NASHVILLE IND" stamped on the left flat, blade and notch sights, and a circle and dot pattern on the muzzle. The carving on the left side of the butt matches the rifle by Paulmer pictured on Gallien's article on Paulmer's apprentice and son-in-law, George Wareham, and estimated to have been manufactured c. 1845 in Ohio. The carving includes scrolls, gadroon patterns, and wavy line accents and is somewhat crude compared to the engraving. The stock also has beautifully contrasting flame figure, a pewter forend cap, scroll engraved oval brass wear plate on the forend, engraved and pierced brass patch box, engraved side plate and toe plate, star engraved German silver oval on the bottom of the butt, and eagle engraved German silver oval on the cheek rest. It has an Henry Elwell warranted lock tripped by double set triggers.

Good as altered with dark brown patina on the shortened barrel and converted lock (originally percussion), light aged patina on the brass and German silver, crisp engraving, multiple repairs on the stock (mainly around the lock mortise and left flat), very attractive flame figure, and moderate overall wear including scrapes and dings. Mechanically fine (set trigger first).