Rifle meas. approx. 57.25 inches long. The heavy octagon barrel meas. approx. 40.50 inches long and is .50 in size. Bore has excellent rifling. Barrel surface is a plumb brown throughout and is free of any pitting or wear. Original nipple is present on the bolster. There is a brass 2.25 inch tubular front sight mortised into the muzzle while the rear has a peep sight in the shape of a trumpet mouthpiece lead soldered onto a long mount that is mortised into the barrel approx. 3.00 inches forward of the breech. Below the rear sight there is a capstan that can be turned to raise or lower the sight. The top flat of the barrel is marked just forward of the rear sight with “J & W. H. MOLL ALLENTOWN-PA. 1599.”

Lockplate is finished bright and is set flush into the stock. Crisply stamped forward of the hammer is “J. H. MITCHELL / WARRANTED” in two lines. The lock is engraved with a wonderful goose or duck hunting scene behind the hammer and an engraved scrollwork decoration at extreme front. Serpentine hammer is also engraved with scrollwork. Action is crisp and double-set triggers work properly.

The full stock is finished a light brown and is in excellent condition showing only very light surface wear of a few scratches from age and storage. The barrel is attached to the stock by three wedge pins set approx. 14.00 inches apart along the forearm. Each pin has a silver escutcheon on each side with minor variations to the decoration of each. Muzzle has a 1.25 inch brass nose cap. Left side of the butt has a large cheek rest decorated with a silver spread-winged eagle with a 3.00 inch wingspan. Plain brass buttplate is shaped to sit securely into the shooters shoulder. Brass patchbox resembles a French arch with scalloped edged legs and a central panel with linear decoration that serves as the patchbox door. The door is opened by depressing a small button on the bottom edge of the butt plate. This operates properly. Atop the patchbox is a Gothic lancet with a keyhole shaped cutout at center. Set into the wrist is a plain silver oval. Lock screw also has a small scalloped brass escutcheon.

Triggerguard is brass with squared ends and finger rests

Wooden ramrod is tiger striped with an iron threaded tip.

William Moll began making guns in Allentown, Pa. in 1740. He worked with his son John until his death in 1778. John Moll died in 1794 leaving two sons John Jr. and Peter Moll. John Jr. continued gun making until 1824. At that time his son John Moll III continued the business and in 1863 his son William H. Moll came on board and made weapons up to 1883. The markings on the barrel of this weapon show that it was made between 1863 - 1883.   [ad]

DISCLAIMER: All firearms are sold as collector's items only - we do not accept responsibility as to the shooting safety or reliability of any antique firearm. All firearms are described as accurately as possible, given the restraints of a catalog listing length. We want satisfied customers & often "under" describe the weapons. Any city or state regulations regarding owning antique firearms are the responsibility of the purchaser. All firearms are "mechanically perfect" unless noted, but again, are NOT warranted as safe to fire!

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