{"product_id":"original-u-s-flintlock-60-caliber-kentucky-long-rifle-by-joseph-medbery-of-rochester-with-tiger-flame-maple-stock-circa-1830","title":"Original U.S. Flintlock .60 Caliber \"Kentucky\" Long Rifle by Joseph Medbery of Rochester with Tiger Flame Maple Stock, Circa 1830","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is an original U.S. circa 1830 .60 caliber flintlock long rifle by \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJoseph Medbery of Rochester, New York\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe top of the barrel near the breech is stamped:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJ. MEDBERY\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003efor 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe lock appears to be a commercially produced trade lock rather than one made by Medbery and is marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eKIMMEL\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eWARRANTED\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJoseph 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe under barrel ramrod is most likely a later display replacement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYear of Manufacture: c.1830\u003cbr\u003eCaliber: approx .60\" seven groove rifling\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCartridge Type: Ball and Powder\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 37 1\/2 Inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 53 Inches\u003cbr\u003eAction type: Side Action Flintlock\u003cbr\u003eFeed System: Muzzle Loading\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFederal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNOTE:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45696890470469,"sku":"ONJR26AURA21","price":2395.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/645D7C8B-EE90-4620-B7C2-18940034F4F6.jpg?v=1788632209","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-flintlock-60-caliber-kentucky-long-rifle-by-joseph-medbery-of-rochester-with-tiger-flame-maple-stock-circa-1830","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}