The photos below show a 19th century half-stock percussion rifle by the gunmaker Samuel Mier of Somerset County, Pennsylvania (see side plate engraving). It was photographed in Somerset County.
L. Dietle
Photos
When viewed upside down, it is clear that the engraving on the lid of the patch box is a spread-wing eagle. The eagle is engraved upside down for viewing by a right-handed individual who is holding the rifle normally.
For some individuals, it is difficult to tell if the cursive initial of the maker's engraved first name on this rifle is intended to be a "J" or an "S". The next photograph shows a distinctive sinuous pattern of engraving that appears on the barrel of this rifle. This sinuous pattern is found on the barrels of several Mier rifles, including one where the initial of the maker's first name is a very clear serif-type printed "S" and the surname is a cursive "Mier" Click here to see that rifle, which has a signature with the same "ier" and the same three heavy dots as this rifle. Based on the easily interpreted signature of that rifle, I suspect that the distinctive sinuous engraving pattern can be used to help identify rifles made by Samuel Mier. The photograph also shows the dovetailed notch-type rear sight that is mounted on the top flat of the barrel.
The next photo shows the engraved brass lock bolt plate of the Mier half-stock rifle. Because of sinuous engraving pattern shown and described above, and because the beginning stroke to form the first initial starts on the left and moves to the right, I interpret the engraved cursive signature on the lock bolt plate to be that of Samuel Mier. The lock bolt plate is flat and its edges are unbeveled.
The following photo shows the of the commercially manufactured Golcher percussion lock that is mounted on this half-stock black powder rifle. The unbeveled lock plate is made from brass. The photo also shows that the trailing edge of the lock panel is pointed, and very little of the panel is raised from and filleted to the adjacent portions of the stock. The photo also shows the fancy grade of curly maple used in making the gun stock, and shows that the part of the stock above the front of the lock plate has been repaired with non-matching wood. The overall finish of the gun stock is dark. The photo also shows that the rifle has a set trigger assembly, with the set trigger being more curved than the hair trigger. The percussion nipple is mounted on a drum that incorporates a vent screw. The nose of the percussion hammer is well-aligned with and telescopes partially over the nipple. This telescoping configuration helps to protect the eyes of the shooter from flying cap debris.
The following photo shows the design of the underside of the cast brass spur trigger guard.
The following photo shows the cast-in-place nose cap, and the repair to the wooden forearm.
The following photo shows the configuration of the top of the crescent-shaped brass butt plate.
The following photo shows the pointed breech plug tang, which is secured by two screws. Such pointed tangs are common to many rifles from the general region where this half-stock rifle was made.
In the following image, the barrel pin (obviously a replacement) is a round-headed nail. The rear sight is visible on the upper flat of the full octagon barrel. The upper part of the forearm has been repaired with non-matching wood.
The next photograph provides a full view of the left-hand side of this half-stocked muzzle loading black powder rifle. The stock has no decorative carving and no barrel pin escutcheons. The ramrod thimbles are mounted to an under-rib, as is typical with half-stocked American muzzleloader rifles.
The following photo of the muzzle of the Mier rifle shows how heavy the octagon barrel is compared to its caliber. The photo provides a glimpse of the dovetailed blade-type front sight. Also notice the 7-groove cut rifling in the bore and the cross-section of the under-rib.
The following photo highlights the rear left-hand portion of this half-stock cap lock rifle, showing the buttstock, cheekpiece, trigger guard, and lock bolt plate regions. Note the shape of the rear of the stock panel for the lock bolt plate and the deep curvature of the crescent buttplate. Both of the metal cross-pins that retain the spur trigger guard to the rifle stock are visible in the photo. The lower edge of the cheekpiece incorporates a decorative incised line, as do the cheekpieces on many other antique muzzle loading rifles.
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The first photo, immediately below, shows the unusual shape of the patch box. Samuel Mier is known for a creative variety of patch box designs. Although this four-piece brass patch box has no piercings, it is still a very complicated design. The comb and belly of the buttstock are substantially straight. The release button for the lid of the patch box projects downward from the toe plate. The metal cross-pin that retains the rear of the trigger guard to the gun stock is visible under the front portion of the asymmetric patch box finial.
Visit the Gunsmith Index to access pictures of other Somerset & Bedford County long rifles and biographical information about the gunsmiths who made them.
