New York State Percussion Halfstock Rifle By Reynolds

.40 cal., 34 1/2” octagon barrel with a very good mostly bright bore with sharp rifling but showing some scattered very light oxidation here and there. The barrel is a dull pewter and brown patina with scattered light oxidation staining and some scattered pitting along its front half and in the area of the nipple bolster. There is a scant German silver front sight and nice a buckhorn rear with the top barrel flat neatly engraved “F Reynolds N York”. The breech and tang show some light engraving, the breech with two inlaid brass bands. The back action lock shows light game scene engraving and there is loose scroll on the hammer; the front portion of the hammer skirt has chipped away from the years. The half stock rates very good showing an old light cleaning with some added finish showing a few old repaired cracks, a crack at the left side of the breech to the lock screw escutcheon and a repaired chip beneath the bolster which was neatly done. There is a German silver forend tip, tailpipe and oval wedge escutcheons. The German silver single spur triggerguard shows some nice engraving on the bow and extensions and there is a chiseled toe plate nicely engraved as well. The pendulum style German silver patchbox shows some very nice engraving with a folky deer, the sideplate is lightly engraved and there are three engraved star inlays as well. The square-bottomed cheekpiece has a very nice American Eagle inlay which is neatly engraved. The back action lock is dual acting and has no half-cock rest, the stock has shrunken a bit over the years and there is a gap along its lower leading edge. There is an antique ramrod included which is likely a replacement from the period of use. Francis Reynolds was active in New York City from about 1839-1867. The engraving and style of work very closely matches a cartridge arm made by Reynolds pictured in The New York State Firearms Trade by Swinney. A finely made, nicely embellished rifle, still very attractive, with a bore which likely still shoots very well. (37159-3) {ANTIQUE}