S. S. Baird Underhammer Percussion Muzzleloading Target Rifle

This light target rifle was manufactured circa 1850. The underhammer design was intended to provide a clear line of sight on the top of the barrel for sighting purposes and allowing a faster ignition of the powder charge with a percussion cone flash channel directly leading to the charge.

Stephen S. Baird was a gunsmith from 1832 to 1881. The majority of pieces known to have been made by Baird are characterized as half-stocked, underhammer percussion rifles built for target shooting and hunting.