This rifle was manufactured by Horace E. Dimick's firm in St. Louis, Missouri. He was active in the city from 1849 into the 1870s. He furnished a mix of his own rifles and those sourced from other gunsmiths to supply Birge's Western Sharpshooters during the Civil War including rifles similar to this. These, however, are known to have been numbered on the muzzles. The left flat just to the rear of the rear sight is inscribed "For P.H. Kelley" in script. Given the prevalence of the surname Kelley/Kelly and first names Patrick and Peter among the Irish, there are a great many men with whom could have owned the rifle. It has a low profile German silver blade front sight, elevation adjustable sporting rear sight, "H.E. DIMICK & Co./ST. LOUIS" marked on top of the barrel, a scroll engraved back action lock, scroll engraving on the German silver furniture, a running deer inlay on the cheekpiece, and double set triggers. A copy of the Jackson Arms Catalog 26 from 1973 and documents concerning the sale of the rifle are included. The rifle also appeared in the paper "St. Louis Guns, the Mechanics of Manufacture and Points of Identification" by Clarence B. Fall.

About good with mottled brown patina, traces of original blue, light oxidation, light barrel vice marks, and general minor marks along the barrel and lock and lightly aged German silver furniture. The stock has minor scratches and dings, a series of repairs at the wrist and front of the comb including a large brass plate on the left secured by screws and multiple splices. Mechanically fine (set triggers first). Writer cannot recall another inscribed St. Louis Dimick Plains Rifle ever being offer at our auction!