Your rifle appears to be a good quality restock of some original parts. The stock appears new as determined by its sharp edges on the side facing [no small dings or scratches from years of use] and no staining from brass oxides rubbing off into the stock wood next to the patchbox and butt plate. The patchbox mimics an older "key hole" design used around Pittsburgh, but it also appears modern. The engraving, while nicely done, is a modern style, not a ca. 1825 style, and the box appears mounted with modern brass screws rather than the iron screws an original gun would have. The inlays also appear modern to me. I believe the barrel may be from an original longrifle with the tang later extended, as well as the guard, and perhaps the triggers and butt plate being original. The name plate on the barrel may have been present on an old, original barrel that was re-used, but I believe the uneven stamping of the "Bird & Co." with individual letter stamps was done when the rifle was restocked, probably in the 1960s. An original rifle of this style would have a darker, more oxidized finish, and a lot more dings and scratches in the wood. The lock is also rebuilt from what appears to be both old and new parts, many not appropriate to the style of a ca. 1825 rifle. Shelby Gallien
