This rifle is featured and discussed on pages 293-296 of "American Military Shoulder Arms, Volume 2: From the 1790s to the End of the Flintlock Period" by George Moller where it is noted as "typical of many privately owned rifles in the hands of the Massachusetts militia during the post-War of 1812 period. Alvin Pratt (1790-1877) began his apprenticeship in 1807 and established his own shop on the Mill Dam in Concord, Massachusetts, in 1821. Other rifles of this same pattern or a very similar pattern by Pratt are known and have sometimes been theorized to have been militia rifles as alluded to by Moller. The rifle has a rounded blade front sight, notch rear sight, "A. PRATT." signed ahead of the rear sight, an "R./ASHMORE/WARRANTED" lock with light engraving accents, silver wire inlays around the barrel tang, brass trigger and furniture. Simple floral and border engraving on the patch box, concealed release under the toe plate, and full-length stock with diamond and star checkering on the wrist, and long cheek piece. "GDM" is discreetly marked ahead of the toe plate. Provenance: The George Moller Collection