Half-stocked rifle in walnut, brass furniture, back action lock with “… choir” stamped on face, double set triggers, with ten engraved German silver inlays. Capbox has deer finial, cheekpiece has standing dog inlay with odd shaped inlay behind it. Fancy brass side plate shaped like two opposed leaves. Long brass wear plate on under side of forestock grip area, well engraved, that meets an extended tang on rear ramrod pipe with matching engraving. Engraved brass toe plate with fancy finial. Single bolt tang 2 ¾ inches long with shield shaped thumb piece below. Barrel: 34 ¼ inches long (probably shortened about 4 inches from original 38 1/4 inches), .32 caliber bore with badly worn 7 groove rifling, four brass ramrod pipes and cast pewter nose cap. Maker’s name “E. Patterson” engraved in script on top barrel flat. Seller’s lists an “E. Patterson” as maker of percussion guns, unknown location.
Comments:
Very strong NY traits. Benjamin Patterson and a brother were early settlers in the Southern Tier of NY. Benjamin established the first inn in Corning, NY. While Ben's family is easily traced the same cannot be said for the brother. Enough is known to postulate a connection with this family as a gunmaker by the name of Wood worked in Painted Post and was likely well acquainted with the Patterson clan.
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Looks like a somewhat dainty rifle, with perhaps two levels of decorative work. The capbox, side plate and dog inlay in the cheekpiece seem better shaped and engraved than the wear plate, toe plate and forestock inlay. I'd presume the less artistic work is the gunmaker, and the several better done elements are perhaps purchased parts.
The barrel signature area almost looks like the poor bluing on early Remington pistols that chipped off over time. Some type of oxidized finish/surface is slowly eroding off the barrel. The capbox with deer for finial, and dog inlay in cheek, seem to indicate a possible New York origin, although the name does not appear in Swinney's new 5 voulme set on New York Gunsmiths, nor in Michigan, Indiana or Kentucky gunsmithing lists. Probably made by someone practicing another trade much more than gunsmithing, so not known or listed as a gunsmith, but perhaps turned one out from time to time for friends or relatives.
