William L. Hudson Sr. (1812-1861) of Wales immigrated in 1837, became a naturalized citizen of the U.S. in 1848, and worked in Cincinnati, Ohio, as a gunmaker and gunsmith in the antebellum era and beginning of the Civil War. This exceptional rifle has an octagon barrel with short turned down section at the muzzle for use with a starter (no included), dovetailed blade front sight, adjustable sporting rear sight, "W.L. HUDSON/MAKER/CIN.O" inscribed in a banner with scroll engraved ends, large casehardened breech pug with pierced platinum plug on the bolster, and a ramrod secured in two ferrules and a long rib/tube. The ramrod has a covered ball worm. The upper tang has a tap for mounting a "lollipop" peep sight (absent). The back action lock has the same maker's mark as the barrel engraved behind the hammer. The rifle is fired using adjustable double set, single phase triggers. It has a spurred iron trigger guard and a nicely figured walnut buttstock with a casehardened crescent buttplate and toeplate.

Exceptionally fine with 90% plus original brown finish remaining on the barrel, most of the bright original niter blue on the rear sight, 75% original case colors, smooth gray on the faded areas, minor oxidation at the breech, and generally only light age and storage related wear. The wood is very fine and has attractive flame figure, filled knot on the comb and left side of the wrist, and slight handling marks. Mechanically excellent.