A. P. McDermit Gunsmith, Civil War Union Soldier, Dentist & Druggist. Born in 1827, he died in 1899. McDermit was most active in making rifles from 1850-1860 in Mason County, West Virginia. He is listed as a gunsmith in Mason County in the 1850 census & as a gunsmith in the 1860 census in Point Pleasant.
The heavy octagon-to-round barrel and brass inserts near the muzzle to attach a shade indicate target shooting usage. While it could have been used as a buffalo rifle or Civil War sniper rifle, as the .54 caliber is large enough, it appears to have had very little use. Whatever this rifle was used for, it proudly represents the skill and artistic talents of one of West Virginia's finest gunmakers.
