That slow a twist, another interesting element to the mystery.

I've read quite a bit about muzzleloaders from approximately that era but am definitely not what one could consider an expert.  Ordinarily twists that slow were generally for heavy powder charges, were they not?  Forsyth did extensive work with slow twists and Baker comments on them and heavy charges.  I've also read that more often than not the old German/Austrian smiths used one turn in the length of the barrel which gave some of the old Jaeger's a rather quick twist for round balls.  So many questions, so few answers.  Still, they none change the fact that the rifle is exceedingly nice.

frnkeore wrote on Feb 26^th, 2017 at 12:21pm:

That's what I was going to suggest, as a friend here in town has about 3 of the most beautiful single shots, of which we believe were all German made, and only the centerfire one in 7x57 (looks like a German 'Farquarson') has proof marks on it, but no makers mark.

I would say that is was an apprentice build gun. Remember, apprentices spent a year on the bench with nothing but a file - no machine tools.