John Amos percussion "smooth rifle"

This is an antique percussion "smooth rifle" by the master Bedford County, Pennsylvania gunsmith John Amos. The term "smooth rifle" is a modern name that is used to describe smoothbore muzzle loading long arms with rifle-type features such as front and rear sights and heavy-walled barrels. They are dual-purpose firearms that can be used with shot for small game, and are reasonably accurate with round balls at the relatively short distances that deer are typically harvested.

This muzzleloader is a relatively plain example of the Bedford School of gunsmithing, with no patch box, inlays, protective escutcheons, or decorative carving. Features that distinguish it as a product of the Bedford School are the rat tail shape of the percussion lock, the configuration of the stock panels for the lock and the lock bolt plate, and the graceful shape of the hammer, with its forward curving spur. The slender appearance of this full stock muzzleloader is facilitated by a nose cap that is only slightly smaller than the forearm in terms of lateral transverse cross-section.

Percussion lock on a rifle made by the Bedford County, Pennsylvania gunsmith John Amos.

The lock bolt plate of a percussion long rifle made by the Bedford County, Pennsylvania gunsmith John Amos.

More of the left-hand side of the lock bolt plate area of a percussion long rifle made by the Bedford County, Pennsylvania gunsmith John Amos.

The butt plate area of a percussion black powder long rifle made by the Bedford County, Pennsylvania gunsmith John Amos.

The toe plate of a long rifle made by the Bedford County, Pennsylvania guns maker John Amos.

Bottom of the trigger guard area of a Pennsylvania long rifle made by the Bedford County gunsmith John Amos.

The front site of a percussion Pennsylvania long rifle made by John Amos of Bedford County.

A photo of part o of the left-hand side of the forearm of a percussion Pennsylvania long rifle by gun maker John Amos of Bedford County, PA.

An oblique view of the muzzle area of a John-Amos-made Bedford County, Pennsylvania long rifle, showing the absence of rifling.

A bottom view of the entry pipe area of a long rifle made by John Amos of Bedford County, Pennsylvania.

The cheek piece side of the buttstock of a 'smooth rifle

Rear sight area of a John Amos Rifle (Bedford County, Pennsylvania).

The rear sight of a 'smooth rifle' made by the Bedford Co., PA gunsmith John Amos.

A closeup enlarged view of the lock of a Pennsylvania long rifle that was made by John Amos of Bedford County, PA.

The lock and trigger area of a 'smooth rifle' made by the Bedford Co., PA gunsmith John Amos. I'm a little surprised to see a set trigger on a smoothbore firearm.

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