(Hamburg, Germany b. 1932, Forsyth County, Salem, NC, 1949-1909) late Salem period, percussion halfstock, 40-5/8 in. octagonal barrel, worn "W. DETTMAR / SALEM N.C." stamp on top of barrel, dovetail blade front sight, split rear sight, 4-1/4 in. pointed two screw tang, back action lock, walnut stock with carved cheek rest, double set triggers, brass trigger guard, decorative cap box, and butt plate, iron thimbles and forend cap, ramrod, overall 56-1/2 in.

Provenance: From The Collections of Dr. George Waynick and Dr. Edward G. Hill Jr., Old Salem, North Carolina

Note: Considered one of the last of the Salem gunsmiths, William Dettmar was born in Germany where he began to apprentice in the trade, after arriving in Salem he apprenticed with Timothy Vogler then later opened his own shop in Salem, the majority of his rifles are percussion with back action locks which was a common practice among the later gunsmiths, various examples of Dettmar signed rifles and locks are known, The Longrifle Makers of the Salem School, pg. 44, C. Michael Briggs, and North Carolina Schools of Longrifles 1765 - 1865, pg. 153, William Ivey and Kenneth Orr.