I have shown this muzzleloader to a few different dealers wondering if they could tell me anything about it. I’ve been told that it was from the 1850s era, so I’m hoping you could tell me a little more. My great grandfather had it hanging over his mantle, as did my grandfather. Now it hangs over mine.

 -B.S. of New York

Interesting little rifle! I noticed the barrel was signed “Gloeckner in Neustadt.” He was a Czech maker (possibly of Germanic descent) around 1850 who worked in either Neustadt an der Mettau or Neustadt an der Taleifichte. The rifle is a Jaeger-style percussion muzzleloader in carbine length. The barrel is unusually short, however, it appears not to have been cut. The dealers were correct; it dates from the 1840 to 1850 period. Quality appears to be decent. The fact that it is not highly decorated indicates it was intended to be a no-nonsense hunting piece.

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