This rifle is the work of either Jacob Paulmer or George Wareham. Both men were from Stark County, Ohio originally. Wareham trained under Jacob Paulmer, married one of his daughters, and later moved to DeKalb Co., Indiana in early 1850s, where Paulmer had previously moved just prior to 1850. The gun is either a late work by Paulmer in Indiana circa 1855-1860, or perhaps a mid-period work by Wareham circa 1845-1855. Their rifles look earlier than they actually are...both men still used relief carving as late as 1850s, and large, engraved patchboxes much later.
The box engraving actually looks more like a late 1855-1860 Paulmer rifle to me, as does the nice touch at the front sight, but the lack of precision in the border engraving in the finial hints at Wareham's hand...or an old Paulmer who is getting jittery at detail work. Check the lock plate closely. Sometimes Paulmer engraved his initials on the lock plate when he did not sign his rifles. The butt plate with the deep filing on the top extension is definitely their work. Probably a late Jacob S. Paulmer made in Indiana about 1855-1860. Shelby Gallien
