This is a beautiful circa 1850's big bore heavy barrel percussion Buffalo rifle from the Frontier Buffalo Hunters and captured by the Plains Indians. The large rifle exhibits a massive 32 inch full octagon barrel that is 1 1/4 inches in diameter. The barrel is engraved "N.H." in script along the top and stamped, "COOPER" on the side. The side receiver is cap and ball percussion and appears to pottentially be a flintlock conversion. The wood stock has a brass trigger guard with dual setting hair trigger. There is also a brass butt plate and pewter poured fore stock end. There are two large parfleche rawhide wrappings on the stock both rawhide lacing sewn and adorned with solid brass old square shank trade tacks, all added when presumably captured, traded for or given in annuity payment to a Plains Native American Indian warrior. This large bore rifle would have been exclusively used for large game such as the Great American Buffalo Bison. Buffalo hunting became one of the largest drivers of Frontiersmen to the Plains of the west during the 1850's and by the 1880-1890's the Buffalo were nearly hunted into extension driving Native American tribes to reservations. This piece is believed to have been captured or traded for after being used by Buffalo Hunters in the West by Plains Indians, at what point they adorned it with sacred tack work and parfleche wrappings. Truly a rarity. Antique Firearm, NO FFL.