Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original U.S. circa 1830 .60 caliber flintlock long rifle by Joseph Medbery of Rochester, New York, fitted with a striking tiger flame maple stock, brass furniture, engraved silver colored escutcheons, and a heavy 37 1/2" octagonal barrel. Commonly called a “Kentucky” rifle, this type is more broadly associated with the American long rifle tradition that developed in Pennsylvania and spread westward and southward during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

This is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, it may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and does not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. This firearm is sold solely as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only its present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

The rifle measures approximately 53" overall and has a 37 1/2" octagonal barrel with a bore measuring approximately .60 caliber, which is quite a bit larger than we usually see on "Kentucky" rifles. The bore is cut with deep seven groove rifling and has a notably slow rate of twist, giving the grooves an almost straight appearance. The barrel is relatively heavy for the overall form of the rifle and gives the piece a substantial, deliberate profile.

The top of the barrel near the breech is stamped:

J. MEDBERY

for Joseph Medbery of Rochester, New York. Medbery was active as a gunsmith during the early 19th century and also dealt in jewelry and military goods. His father, also Joseph Medbery, was an officer in Rhode Island during the Revolution. Based on the original flintlock configuration and the supplied period of his activity, this example is attributed to approximately 1830.

The lock appears to be a commercially produced trade lock rather than one made by Medbery and is marked:

KIMMEL
WARRANTED

Joseph Kimmel appears to have been a gunsmith from Union County, Pennsylvania, who worked circa 1830. The lock also carries engraved accents at the tail and behind the flash pan. It presently functions correctly, holding at half cock and releasing at full cock.

The barrel is fitted with a small silver colored blade front sight and a simple fixed flat top rear sight. The bore is in good present condition for its age, with all seven grooves clearly visible and portions of the surface remaining bright. There is evidence of old fouling and oxidation, particularly within the grooves, but the rifling remains strong and well defined.

The barrel has developed a pleasing aged brown oxidized patina, while the lock plate has been cleaned closer to bright and shows scattered traces of old peppering. The contrast between the darker barrel and brighter lock reflects differing degrees of past cleaning and oxidation rather than a uniform later refinish.

The tiger flame maple stock is one of the strongest features of the rifle, displaying vivid figure throughout and a rich aged dark brown finish. The wrist remains intact without the major through break often encountered on slender long rifle stocks, though there is a crack running from the lower lock screw toward the breech on the left side. A second crack runs rearward approximately 8" from the nose cap along the right side of the fore stock.

The rifle is fitted with a brass hooked butt plate and a carved German style cheekpiece on the left side of the butt. Set into the cheekpiece is an oval German silver escutcheon engraved with a Federal eagle motif. Behind this is a design carved into the wood, which we cannot identify. A smaller octagonal escutcheon is fitted at the rear of the wrist and remains unengraved.

The brass trigger guard has the extended pistol grip style finial commonly encountered on American long rifles of the period. The right side of the buttstock is fitted with a rectangular four piece patch box surrounded by engraved decoration. It opens by means of a release button on the underside of the buttstock and does not use a spring to lift the lid once released.

The under barrel ramrod is most likely a later display replacement.

With its J. MEDBERY barrel marking, original flintlock configuration, KIMMEL / WARRANTED trade lock, large .60 caliber seven groove bore, heavy octagonal barrel, vivid tiger flame maple stock, engraved Federal eagle cheekpiece escutcheon, brass furniture, and decorative patch box, this is a particularly attractive example of the early 19th century American long rifle tradition. The left breech area stock crack, 8" fore stock crack, cleaned lock plate, old barrel oxidation, and probable replacement ramrod are all fully disclosed. It would fit especially well in an American long rifle, New York gunsmith, flintlock, tiger maple, or early 19th century sporting arms collection.

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: c.1830
Caliber: approx .60" seven groove rifling
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 37 1/2 Inches
Overall Length: 53 Inches
Action type: Side Action Flintlock
Feed System: Muzzle Loading
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.