This large, heavy-barreled, half-stock, bench rest target rifle is a custom longarm manufactured in the mid-nineteenth century by an unknown gunsmith. In very good condition, the .56 caliber percussion rifle measures 51” overall in length and weighs 23 pounds. A 35¼” long heavy bull barrel is octagonal for 14” from the receiver then changes to round for 21¼” to the muzzle. Added to the muzzle is a heavy 1¾” long false muzzle used as a ball starter. The false muzzle device has three protruding iron pins to mate with the rifle barrel muzzle. Atop device sets a raised, silver cone-like object to remind the rifleman to remove the device prior to shooting the rifle. Barrel wears a wonderful dark brown / plum patina overall and also shows no visible maker markings. It does have three small tapped holes on the top facet near the breech, likely for a folding rear sight or peep sight at one time. Barrel bore has 8-groove rifling and is strong and sharp. Should clean to shiny bright. Hammer is almost flat and has a replacement screw. The tapered lockplate is unmarked and is fitted with a 7” long iron barrel tang for strength.

Barrel breech has a thick reinforced bolster insert at the nipple area that is heavily hooded around the sides to prevent sparks and corrosive cap fulminate from injuring the wood and adjacent metal. Set atop the entire length of the barrel is an iron, 40” long, tubular sight scope secured to barrel with a wide-based, cylindrical protective iron sleeve at the muzzle tip and with an adjustable elevation wheel at the breech tang. Breech tip of scope is intact but the muzzle tip appears to be missing the glass lens.

This distinct appearing, muzzle-loading rifle is fitted with a fine rosewood half-stock that is free of any silver décor, inlay or checkering. Rifle exhibits brass furniture to include the deeply curved buttstrap, triggerguard, nose cap, ramrod pipe, single key escutcheon and sideplate. Key and the remaining two other pipes are iron. Wooden ramrod is missing. Mechanics are strong. Also included with this rifle is a large, threaded bench rest elevator that screws into the toe of the stock. All in all, a nice example of a 19^th century percussion, half-stock, bench-rest target rifle.

DISCLAIMER: All firearms are sold as collector's items only - we do not accept responsibility as to the shooting safety or reliability of any antique firearm. All firearms are described as accurately as possible, given the restraints of a catalog listing length. We want satisfied customers & often "under" describe the weapons. Any city or state regulations regarding owning antique firearms are the responsibility of the purchaser. All firearms are "mechanically perfect" unless noted, but again, are NOT warranted as safe to fire.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS,

CLICK ON ‘CONTACT US’ AT THE TOP OF ANY PAGE ON THE SITE,

THEN ON ‘LAYAWAY POLICY’.

THANK YOU!