This rifle is no. 153 in "Kentucky Rifle Patchboxes All New Volume 2" by Chandler & Whisker and attributed to Jacob Ferree (1750 - 1807). Given the rifle's features, it is more likely by Joel A. Ferree (1806-1861) or possibly Joel Thornton Ferree (1815-1882) also from the same extensive family of gunmakers. The rifle has more than 25 silver inlays with light engraving along with wavy silver wire inlaid accents. The cheek rest includes a spread wing eagle and shield motif engraved oval inscribed "J.M. Smith" at the top, and the left side of the buttstock also features a hunter's star and an interesting floral pinwheel design in silver inlays. The patchbox has eight piercings and is finely engraved. The same patchbox was used by multiple makers in Ohio and Indiana, and Joel A. Ferree lived in Hocking County, Ohio, by around 1845. A J.M. Smith of Jackson County, Ohio, is noted as losing property during Morgan's Raid during the Civil War, and multiple Ferrees signed as witnesses or claimants as well, but whether this is the rifle's original owner or not is unclear. The rifled barrel has a dot pattern on the muzzle, an adjustable notch rear sight with long base, and "J. FERREE" boldly stamped on top of the breech section. It has a snail pattern breech with a fairly short tang followed by a scroll engraved strap that appears to be a later, but period, addition. The side palate also appears different than the silver accents. The lock is a G. Golcher and has the common dog and bird scene and scroll patterns. The double set trigger group is very interesting. It has a raised bolster around the triggers and three set screws in addition to the screws at the front and rear holding the group to the stock. The forend cap is pewter, and the remaining furniture is brass with fine engraving. The nicely figured walnut stock is nicely shaped.

Fine. The silver and brass have attractive aged patinas and crisp engraving. The barrel has mostly smooth dark brown patina and some mild pitting mainly at the breech. The front sight and middle ramrod pipe are absent. The lock has gray and brown patina and mild pitting. The stock is also fine and has some chipping and an older spliced repair on the forend, some loss by the nose of the lock and breech, and some minor dings and scratches. Mechanically fine. This is definitely a very attractive American half-stock rifles. It is the kind of rifle that nicely bridges the gap between the classic full-stock "Kentucky rifles" and the later half-stock "plains rifles."