This is a spectacular example of a John Krider percussion target rifle. The rifle is of the highest quality from the muzzle to the buttplate. The rifle is pictured on page 70 in the book "The Powder Flask Book" by Ray Riling in its case with the accessories. John Krider (1813-1886) was an American gunsmith and sporting goods dealer in Philadelphia who manufactured shotguns, rifles, and pistols that earned him awards at exhibitions and also imported other sporting goods, including fishing tackle, as well as fine cutlery. His shop manufactured the first LeMat revolvers in 1859 for Dr. Jean Alexandre LeMat and P.G.T. Beauregard. He was also a noted taxidermist and ornithologist and was associated with John J. Audubon. The shop remained open until 1955. The barrel is finished brown and is fitted with a false muzzle, solid under rib, and blade front and fixed iron rear sights. The top barrel flat is marked "JOHN KRIDER PHILADA." behind the rear sight, and the bottom right at the breech has "CAST STEEL." Fine scroll and scalloped border engraving is present on the remaining metal components which are also vibrantly casehardened. The 5 inch long toe plate and cap box are particularly ornately shaped, and the trigger guard is an interesting double spurred design and encloses adjustable double set triggers. The breech plug also has an ornately contoured flash suppressing fence. The lock is marked "JOHN KRIDER". There is an elevation adjustable peep sight mount on the stock wrist that is able to have interchangeable apertures. The baleen ram rod has a silver tip, and it is mounted with a very nicely figured multi-point checkered walnut half stock with nicely sculpted teardrop flats, and an attractive rounded cheekpiece. The rifle is complete in a period leather wrapped hard takedown case with green felt lining and a John Krider label affixed to the inside of the lid. The brass latch is marked "PATD MAY 54/& FEB 67/EXTD MAY'68". In the case is a hickory cleaning rod with detachable handle, a jag, a bullet starter, four-cavity brass bullet mold with iron sprue cutter, a very rare and extra special custom Swiss cross shaped patch cutter, a nipple wrench, a screwdriver, bullet sizing swage, leather covered James Dixon powder flask, a peep sight aperture, a pin head globe front sight, a front sight base, a small punch, and two empty cap tins, one of them from the American Flask & Cap Company.

Excellent plus. The barrel and under rib retain 99% original brown finish. The remaining parts retain almost all of the original bright case colors with some silvering out on the buttplate heel and a smooth gray on the toe. The stock is also excellent with a few minor small scratches and handling marks. The flats, tear drops, checkering and edge of the cheekpiece are very sharp. The markings and engraving are crisp and clear. The action is excellent. The case is fair. The binding for the hinge is separating, and the two exterior straps are absent. The exterior shows some scuffs and wear. The lining is very fine with some very minor contact wear. All the accessories are excellent. This is simply an outstanding John Krider percussion target rifle with all the accessories that is certainly the finest example known!