Interesting finials.

[Rajin cajun]

Marc, thanks for your insight. Will pass this on to the owner, your thoughts are appreciated.


Bob

[Marcruger]

I am also thinking that may be rice on the finial, as it appears to be a fine rifle.  A wealthy planter of rice could afford that.  I am not sure about a wheat farmer in that time.   Just thinking out loud.   God Bless,   Marc

[mr. no gold]

So, now I am wondering if the bird depicted on the finial of the 'side plates' rifle might not be a Passenger Pidgeon? Like doves, they would have been attracted to grain fields to feed on the harvest residue. And., the idea that at least one of the two rifles shown here may have been made in South Carolina is really tantalizing. Time for folks down there to get out and beat the bushes for more, it seems to me. Whatever, wherever, they are superb works of exceptional merit.
Dick

[Tanselman]

Several details on this "rice" patchbox rifle suggest a Carolina origin to me:

1. The engraved box with an unengraved lid suggests the Carolinas.
2. The use of a narrow [but detailed] border along the lid's long edges suggests the Carolinas.
3. The elaborate patchbox has rather simple engraving in its sideleaves, suggesting a more likely southern origin.
4. The butt plate return with two simple engraved accent lines, rather than a filed "wedding band" type profiled decoration at
    that location, suggests the Carolinas and not a northern origin.

I'm with Dick on this one... most likely South Carolina. Too bad we know so little about that State's early gunmaking, with so few examples of quality rifles known.

Shelby Gallien