Daniel Border's March 27, 1849 rifle

The diminutive antique black powder long rifle featured on this page was made by the well-known gunmaker Daniel B. Border of Bedford County, Pennsylvania. Although it is not elaborately decorated and is not stocked from a truly fancy grade of wood, is still an excellent example of the Bedford School of gunsmithing. The lock bolt plate is dated March 27, 1849, which was well into the percussion era. To see a very similar rifle that was made by another Border family member, click here.

The following image provides a general overview of the right-hand side of the Daniel Border muzzle loading rifle, and shows the deeply curved spur of the graceful Bedford-style hammer projecting high above the well-proportioned full-length stock.
A view of the right-hand side of the Daniel Border muzzle loading rifle.

The following photo shows the nicely engraved four-piece brass patch box, which is tightly fitted to the cast brass butt plate. The Q-shaped finial is a common characteristic of many Bedford County patch boxes. The engraving on the patch box lid is similar to other Daniel Border rifles on this website. The patchbox features five piercings, including two half-circle piercings on each side plate.
The nicely engraved patch box on the Pennsylvania long rifle made by Daniel Border.

The following photo shows an oblique view of the top of the buttplate. Note how far forward one of the screws is located, and how well the upper side plate is fitted to the crescent butt plate.
an oblique view of the top of the buttplate on the Border muzzleloader, showing the double screw configuration.

The following image provides an oblique view of the tastefully engraved toe plate, which is retained to the buttstock of this 19th century muzzleloader with four screws.
an oblique view of the protective toe plate on the Daniel Border muzzleloader.

The attractive signed and engraved rat tail lock on this antique gun has a graceful Bedford County-style percussion hammer. This style of hand-made percussion lock is a highly desireable feature of a Bedford County rifle because of its attractive proportions. It was made at a time when most Pennsylvania gunsmiths outside of Bedford County were purchasing their gun locks from commercial suppliers, rather than tediously producing their own. Most of the periphery of the lock plate has a beveled edge. A vertical slash-like feature is incorporated across the tail portion of the lock plate, providing an attractive decorative effect where the lock plate steps down in thickness.

The percussion drum has a vent screw, which is used for cleanout and for adding a bit of powder in case a ball has been seated without a powder charge.
A photograph of the signed and engraved rat tail lock, which has a graceful Bedford County-style percussion hammer.

The following photo is included to provide an enlarged view of the engraved signature on this narrow Bedford County-style lock plate, and to better show the hammer engraving. The photo also shows what appears to be the vestigial remains of a percusion flash guard to the rearward of the drum. As can be seen here, the nose of the hammer is hollow to prevent high velocity bits of the cap from escaping laterally when the percussion cap detonates. This hollow nose configuration is widely used on percussion firearms to minimize the risk of eye injury.
An enlarged view of the signature on the Daniel Border-made percussion gun lock.

The following photo shows that the breech plug tang on this Pennsylvania long rifle is pointed, and is retained with two screws. The angle of this photo shows that the rat tail of the lock is substantially level with the surface of the lock panel, as is the back edge of the bevel that runs around the rest of the lock plate. The angle of this photo also shows the lateral bend in the hammer that allows the hammer nose to align on the nipple. If you look closely, you may also see that the hammer increases in thickness immediately above the lock plate. This is done to create a stop shoulder that limits the rotation of the hammer when the lock is removed from its mortise in the stock.
A top view of the barrel tang on the Daniel Border black powder muzzle loading rifle.

The following picture shows the front end of the trigger guard, and reveals that the screw heads on the lock are frustrums of cones.
An oblique view of the percussion lock on the Daniel Border rifle, showing the shape of the screws.

The next photo shows the dovetailed rear sight of the Daniel Border-made percussion muzzleloader.
The rear sight of the Daniel Border muzzleloading rifle.

The next photo shows the right-hand side of the entry pipe. The stock transition in this area is very subtle without a noticeable step change in its profle. A great many full stock muzzle loading rifles have an unsightly (in my opinion) step in the profile of the stock at this location. I think Daniel Border did it right!
The right-hand side of the entry pipe on the Daniel Border muzzleloader.

The following photo shows one of the ramrod pipes. The pipe, which is formed from brass, is retained to the stock by a single metal pin located midway along the length of the pipe.
A ramrod ferrule on the Daniel Border-made muzzle loading rifle.

The following photo features the front sight of the Daniel Border rifle. The sight has a dovetailed brass base and a low silver blade, and is mounted over the rear portion of the brass nose cap.
The front sight of the Daniel Border muzzle loading rifle.

The following image shows that the bore of the barrel has seven-groove cut rifling. The riflesmith did a good job of fitting the front and body of the nose cap together, and fitting the nosecap to the octagonal barrel of this old gun.
The muzzle of the Daniel Border rifle.

The following photo shows the cheekpiece side of the buttstock. The top of the low comb and the belly of the butt stock are relatively straight, which is typical for most Bedford County long rifles.
The cheekpiece side of the buttstock on the Pennsylvania long rifle made by the Bedford County, Pennsylvania gunsmith Daniel Border.

The following photo provides another view of the engraved toe plate on the Daniel Border muzzle loader.
The engraved toe plate on the Daniel Border muzzle loader is retained to the stock by four screws.

I included the following photo to show how small the buttstock and wrist are, compared to the hand of the person who is holding the rifle. This gun doesn't just look slender; it IS slender. You can also see the length of the toe plate relative to the length of the buttstock. The grain of the buttstock features an attractive level of curl.
This photo shows how small the buttstock is on the Daniel Border long rifle.

The following photo highlights the engraved and dated brass lock bolt plate. The date is given as "March 27 AD 1849". The heads of the lock retention screws are in excellent shape, with no perceptible wear. The double trigger setup is visible within the bow of the brass trigger guard. The front of the set trigger has a concave curve, while the tip of the hair trigger has a rearward curve. These differences in trigger shape provide tactile feedback so the shooter can identify the trigger that is being engaged by its feel. The trigger adjustment screw is located in intermediate relation to the set and hair triggers. The dramatic forward curve of the Bedford-style percussion hammer spur is visible above the rifle stock.
This photo highlights the engraved and dated brass lock bolt plate.

The following photo features the rear sight of the Daniel Border rifle, as viewed from the left-hand side.
A photo of the rear sight of the Daniel Border muzzle loader.

The following photo shows the left-hand side of the formed brass ramrod entry pipe. The photo shows that the rear sight is located near the rear end of the entry pipe. Two transverse metal pins are visible here, but I am not sure if they both relate to retention of the entry pipe.
A view of the left-hand side of the ramrod entry pipe on the Border-made Pennsylvania long rifle.

The following photo shows the front ramrod pipe and part of the nose cap. The ramrod pipe is formed from brass, and has two decorative bands. Three transverse metal retaining pins are visible. The forward pin probably retains the barrel to the stock, and the remaining two pins appear to be for retaining the ramrod pipe to the stock.
The front ramrod ferrule and part of the nose cap on the rifle made by Daniel Border of Bedford County, Pennsylvania.

The following photo shows the muzzle and brass nose cap of the Daniel Border muzzle loading rifle from the left-hand side, and provides a good view of the seven groove rifling. In my opinion, the slender overall appearance of the rifle stock is facilitated by the fact that the transverse profile of the nose cap matches the transverse profile of the forestock.
A photo of the muzzle and the nose cap of the Daniel Border-made Pennsylvania long rifle.

The following photograph does a good job of showing the diminutive size and slim appearance of the Daniel Border rifle by comparing it to an ultra-rare but regularly sized breach-loading combination gun that was made by Bedford County resident Sheridan Leach. I edited the photograph to remove a third rifle.
This photo shows the small size of the Defibaugh muzzle loading rifle.

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