Samuel Mier percussion rifle, Somerset County, Pennsylvania

This page is part of an online project that features the old-time guns and gunsmiths of Bedford and Somerset counties, Pennsylvania.

Introduction

The photos on this page were provided by Stephen Miller of BV Colonial Crafts. They show a highly-decorated full stock muzzle loading rifle that was made and signed by the percussion era gunsmith Samuel Mier of Salisbury in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. Samuel Mier was one of the major percussion rifle makers of Somerset County. On a computer, you can make the photos smaller by reducing the width of the window.

L. Dietle
camouflage

Rifle photos

The first photograph below provides an overall view of the right-hand side of this 19th century black powder muzzleloader. This photograph is incorporated at full resolution, so that it can be enlarged to see more detail.

An overall view of the right-hand side of a 19th century black powder muzzleloader.

The next photo shows the right-hand side of the rear portion of the rifle.

The next photograph provides a closer view of the right-hand side of the buttstock, which incorporates a four-piece engraved brass patch box with seven piercings, and also incorporates 12 silver inlays. The finial of the patchbox is symmetric. Samuel Mier is known for using a wide variety of patch box styles.

In the next photograph, the patch box lid is open. From the markings on the floor of the patch box recess, it is clear that the recess was roughed out with a drill.
A view of the open patch box.

The next picture provides an oblique view of the engraved brass toe-plate on the belly of the stock. The toe plate is retained by four screws, and has a dolls-head-shaped finial. The patch box release button is located between the two rear toe plate retention screws.

the next picture shows the right-hand side of the spurred trigger guard, and the double set trigger arrangement. The trigger adjustment screw projects unusually far.

The next photograph provides an oblique view of the spurred trigger guard and checkered wrist, and also provides a glimpse of the trigger plate. Also note the triangular carved recess that is formed on the underside of the stock, forward of the trigger guard.

The next photo features the Leman-brand percussion lock and the mating raised panel of the stock. The lock plate has a rounded tail. The hollow nose of the hammer is either made from or covered with brass. The end of the drum is engraved and does not incorporate a vent screw.The wood just to the rear of the breech is covered with a bent piece of sheet brass to protect the wood from the damaging effect of the flash of the percussion cap. The nose of the hammer does not appear to be well-aligned with the nipple.
The Leman-brand percussion lock and the mating raised panel of the stock.

The next picture provides an oblique view of the breech area of this antique black powder rifle. A brass sheet is soldered to the barrel in the vicinity of the drum to protect the breech from percussion cap flash-related corrosion.

The next photo provides a right-hand view of the forearm of this silver-inlaid rifle. Each side of the forearm is decorated with six silver inlays.

The next picture features the brass entry pipe for the ramrod.

The next picture shows the rear ramrod pipe, and the cross-pin that retains it to the wooden stock. The pipes on this antique muzzle loading rifle are cylindrical, rather than faceted.

The next photograph provides an oblique view of the muzzle area of the full-octagon barrel. The cut rifling has seven grooves. The front end of the barrel is decorated with eight circles and recessed dots. The nose cap is formed from sheet brass and is grooved for the ramrod.

The next photo provides the best-available view of the dovetailed blade-type front sight.

The next picture provides an overall view of the left-hand side of this old Somerset county long rifle. This picture is incorporated at full resolution, so that it can be enlarged to see more detail.

The next photo shows the left-hand side of the rear portion of the rifle. The toe of the stock is extremely pointed. The percussion gun lock is retained with a single threaded fastener.

The next photograph provides a closer view of the left-hand side of the buttstock, which is decorated with 14 inlays.

The next photograph provides an oblique view of the deeply curved crescent buttplate, and also shows the inlays that are located between the cheekpiece and the buttplate on the left-hand side of the buttstock. Those inlays include a five-pointed star and a cresent moon.

The next photo provides a closeup of the elliptic cheekpiece inlay, which is made with silver and features an engraved spread-wing eagle with a shield. As can be clearly seen here, the silver inlays are retained to the stock of this old gun with silver nails. Three of the inlays in this photo are heart-shaped. Two of the inlays under the cheek piece are teardrop-shaped.
A closeup of the elliptic silver cheekpiece inlay.

The next photograph provides a top view of the comb of the buttstock. This view makes it clear that the rifle stock is made from curly Maple.

The next photo shows the tang of the breech plug and the heart-shaped thumb plate. The tang has a semi-pointed tip, and is retained to the stock with a single screw. Pointed tangs are common on Somerset county long rifles.

The next photo provides a view of the left-hand side of the cast brass trigger guard. This style of trigger guard is not common on Somerset county long rifles.

The next photograph provides an oblique view of the trigger guard. The transverse steel pins that retain the trigger guard to the stock are also visible. The rear trigger guard pin is located just the rear of the checkering.

The next photo shows the engraved brass lock bolt washer and mating panel of the wooden stock. An engraved brass inlay just below the lock bolt washer is shaped like the lock bolt plates that are often found on rifles made by the Somerset County, Pennsylvania gunmaker Jonathan Dormayer. The cross-pin that retains the front of the trigger guard to the stock is visible just below the inlay.
The engraved brass lock bolt washer and mating panel of the wooden stock.

The next photo provides a left-hand view of the forearm portion of the full-length stock.

The next photograph features the engraved silver saddle plate that is located on the forearm of the rifle.

The next photo provides a view of the left-hand side of the rear sight. Notice the decorative punch marks that surround the dovetail for the rear sight.

The next photograph provides a slightly oblique view of the rear sight. The engraving style that is visible the top flat of the barrel, and is located forward of and rearward of the sight, is often found on rifles that were made by Samuel Mier.

The next photo shows a metal inlay that is located rearward of the rear sight. The inlay is dated, and bears the initials "SH"

The next image shows the engraved barrel inscription "Sam. Mier." on the upper flat of the octagon barrel.

The next photo provides a view of the left-hand side of the rear pipe and its retention pin, and also shows a barrel retention pin.

The next photo provides a view of the left-hand side of the front pipe and its retention pin, and also shows the left-hand side of the nose cap. The forend is abruptly stepped down in cross-section near the nose cap.

See the Gunsmith Index for pictures of other antique Somerset and Bedford county muzzleloading rifles.

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