NATIVE AMERICAN CHIEF'S GRADE BRITISH PERCUSSION TRADE RIFLE, approximately .577 caliber, walnut stock with embossed medallion depicting a Native American warrior bust at wrist, buttstock decorated with 20 brass-head tacks to front and top, and pewter inset to each side, heel of brass buttplate engraved with boar's head within a curled hunting horn and arrow, trigger guard engraved with floret and arrow, octagonal to round barrel stamped "LONDON" to top along with proof marks, lockplate stamped "MOXHAM" for London gunsmith Thomas Moxham forward hammer, and engraved with a boar's head matching the buttplate tang behind hammer, brass side plate hand engraved "Rakowamenh", possibly representing a Native American owner. Fitted with a period wood ramrod. First half 19th century. 38 1/4" LOA, 22 3/4" barrel.
Literature: See Flayderman, Guide to Antique American Firearms,, p. 762 for a discussion of this type of gun and an illustration of the warrior medallion seen on the present rifle.
Provenance: From an Alexandria, VA private collection.
Historical alterations including percussion conversion, barrel and stock cut down, and replaced side plate; stock with loss and old patches/repairs at barrel tang.