Lancaster was the birthplace of the Pennsylvania Rifle and was the leading riflemaking center in the colonies.

The first Pennsylvania Rifles were made by craftsmen that had come to Lancaster from Germany. The same innovative craftsman that made the rifle, personalized it with artistic engravings, carvings, and inlays. As early as 1745, there were several riflemakers operating in Lancaster city, and 40 throughout Lancaster County. The number doubled with the need for rifles in the American Revolution and thereafter.

A prominent name that shows up among Lancaster’s gunmakers, was PENNABECKER’s or sometimes referred to as Pennybacker. This firearm has markings:

On the lock plate these letters are still visible:

LAN...A...TER  PA

On the barrel these letter are still visible:

...CKER

My guess is that this rifle was originally made in the Lancaster, Pennsylvania area and the barrel was made in the same general area by someone in the Pennabecker Family of gunsmiths, of which there were many. The rifle is slightly under 10 pounds, with seven groove rifling. It has a very large attractive brass forend. The barrel is 44 inches with a rear site and a fine brass front sight. 

There is light decorative wood engraving work on the wood on top of the comb, and the left side of the butt stock. The ornate brass patch box on the right side is still working beautifully. The dark wood (walnut) has four key pins to hold the barrel in the stock and there are three pinned brass thimbles to hold the wooden ramrod in place. The wood is in great shape and is goes the full length of the barrel. The heavy barrel is browned and octagon in shape. This is a very, very lovey Kentucky percussion rifle made between 1850 and 1870. It would look great hanging above anyone’s fireplace.

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