The following photos show a .36 caliber muzzle loading rifle that is signed "J * Lepley". The photos were provided by the owner of the rifle, Thomas Statler. The barrel of this rifle is quite long, at 43-1/2 inches. To read about the Lepley family of gunsmiths, click here.
The following photo shows the entire right-hand side of a full-stock percussion long rifle made by Joseph Lepley that is stocked in excellent curly maple.
The next photo shows the cursive barrel signature "J * Lepley".
The next photo is zoomed in to show the portion of the rifle between the butt plate and the entry pipe. The rifle has double set triggers and a very elongated teardrop inlay on a similarly-shaped raised panel that is located aft of the lock panel.
The next photo highlights the buttstock and the patch box. The buttstock has the low comb and straight lower edge that are common to Somerset and Bedford county muzzle loading rifles.
The next photo shows the fore end, including a strikingly long nose cap.
Here, below, is a larger view of the nosecap area.
The next photo shows the cheekpiece side of the buttstock, and the lock bolt plate.
In the next photo, the Joseph Lepley rifle has been rotated to show the toe plate of the buttstock.
The next two photo variations show the muzzle and front end of the nose cap of the Joseph Lepley rifle. The seven-groove rifling is very deep.
