Percussion Altered British Board of Ordnance 1813 Contract Trade Gun by Rolfe

.58 caliber. 35.75" pinned three-stage octagon to round barrel. SN: NSN. Heavily oxidized metal, brass and iron furniture, full-length walnut stock. Percussion altered early form flint lock marked with the "{Circle-Fox}" logo forward of the hammer and marked in an arched vertical line at the tail "ROLFE". Top flat of barrel with "{Circle-Fox}" logo and with British Board of Ordnance proofs on the left angled flat, including the expected "{Crown}/GR/{Broad Arrow}" and "{Crossed Scepters}". No visible Ordnance mark on the lock. Crude percussion alteration without the flint battery holes filled, crudely made percussion hammer and typical "blacksmith" style drum bolster. Typical 3-screw brass serpent side plate, nailed flat brass buttplate, oversized iron triggerguard and two corrugated brass ramrod pipes securing an old wood ramrod.

William Rolfe was Birmingham based gunmaker who worked circa 1807-1817 and was contractor to both the North West Company and the British Board of Ordnance. He was one of 16 Birmingham makers to receive Board of Ordnance contracts in 1813 to produce guns for the British government to provide to their Native Allies during the War of 1812. Rolfe delivered a total of 1,335 guns, including 134 pistols. This is one of those War of 1812 contract guns, that clearly saw continued use well into the mid-19th century.