The Mercer County Historical Society via Bill Sell

While perusing the Military Room at the Riley House museum, one might notice that one of the old firearms is very unique.  We have the normal Civil War Rifles, Yankee Springfields, Rebel Enfields, World War I and two relics, uniforms, shells of all kinds. Yet one of the old firearms stands out.

This rifle-looking gun is smaller, shorter and much lighter than many of the other guns in our collection… and looks like it was near a fire. A fire so hot that it heated the old varnish the maker had applied over one hundred and fifty years ago. In fact, one of our firearm experts, Jim, said that it's not a rifle, but a small gauge shotgun. Specifically, it's a kid's shotgun.

There is no manufacturer's name, no stamps of any kind, no numbers, not even the crude initials carved in the stock like bored soldiers of the Civil War would often do. The previous owner, likely a farmer from Mercer County, ordered a lock plate and trigger from the local gunsmith and probably made this firearm in his shed. The local would have carved a piece of walnut, making it small enough for his son or daughter to carry. A grown man's finger won’t even fit in the trigger guard! (Pictured: the gun on the left is the child’s shotgun)

Maybe it was a grandpa, making it for his grandson or granddaughter so that he or she could go squirrel or rabbit hunting on Thanksgiving morning. Or, perhaps it was used to keep the pigeons and other birds out of the barn. Whatever the story, we believe that this gift would have been happily received by the young boy or girl getting it, maybe for a birthday or even for Christmas.

The amount of time the maker spent in getting the stock just right is impressive. Sanding down the entire gun, putting a protective lacquer on it… it is one of a kind. The maker would have proudly handed it to the child. We don't have a name for its maker, and even the child is now long gone....

This gun is another of the mysterious and intriguing artifacts found in the old house.  Every day there is a new find, something that someone in Mercer County found important enough to donate and save. If you are interested in seeing this gun and other artifacts like it, stop by the Riley House museum on a Monday or a Friday between 9 and 5. Admission is free.