This rifle is pictured and discussed on pages 457-459 of "American Military Shoulder Arms, Volume I: Colonial and Revolutionary War Arms" by George Moller and has his "GDM" collection mark in tiny letters by the toe. His notes date the rifle to 1765-1780, and in the book he states: "This rifle is of particular interest because it has some furniture that is very similar to the known military rifles" such as the military jaeger rifles he discusses in the preceding section, "and it contains some features used by German-born American gunmakers in the 18th century: the 'thumb-nail' butt plate tang profile was used by Andreas Albright, and the style of the incised and raised carving is also similar to that of Albright and his contemporaries." This rifle has adjustable single set triggers that setup so that the trigger must be set fire with the thin front trigger. Some of the letters of the rifle's signature on the barrel are a little faint, but the signature appears to read "G HELLER A VOLMARSHAUSEN." Vollmarshausen (spelled with to l's in modern day) is near Cassel (Kassel) in the Landgraviate of Hesse-Cassel. The swamped barrel has a blade front sight and two-leaf rear sight (one standing and one folding). The convex lock has a light border design, bridle-less frizzen, fly, and no markings. The furniture is brass and includes the noted military style trigger guard that acts like a pistol grip. The sideplate and trigger guard have trefoil finials, and coordinated raised trefoil carving is at the barrel tang. The stock has molding along the ramrod channel, nicely shaped flats, mix of incised and raised relief carved scroll patterns on the butt. The wooden patch box lid has simple carving. A black leather sling is fitted to the sling swivels mounted near the forend tip and behind the trigger guard. Provenance: The George Moller Collection

Very good with mottled gray patina on the lock and barrel, light speckled pitting along the barrel, brazed repair on the barrel tang which is slightly separated, aged patina on the brass furniture, and mild overall wear. The stock is also fine and has some cracks in the forend, small insect holes, minor flakes at the edges, and general mild dings and scratches. Mechanically fine.