Original Item: Only One Available. Just purchased at a recent military auction! This is a very nice "Pennsylvania" percussion hunting rifle, often referred to as a "Kentucky" rifle. The design developed in Pennsylvania, and then spread down the Ohio River Valley to Kentucky, where it was very popular. This is a great example, with a beautiful full length "tiger" or "flame" figured maple stock, a very common wood to use on Pennsylvania rifles. The stock is quite thin with a lovely gently sweeping curve, which along with the ornate side plate around the patch box cover is a hallmark of the Lancaster area, though it looks to have been repaired in the past.

The rifle features all brass mountings, including a lovely patch box on the right side of the stock, opened by prying up the end. The rifle features a 40 ¾ inch long octagonal barrel with a bore of about 0.39", a typical bore measurement that we see these in, which features 8 groove rifling. Overall length is 56 inches, and the barrel is relatively heavy for accurate shooting, much like "bench rest" rifles of the day. It has a "German Silver" front blade side and a simple notch rear sight.

As with many rifles produced during this period, it is fitted with a "trade lock", in this case marked WILMOT. This is actually a somewhat common name in the U.S. gun-making business, with several recorded members. There was one NATHANIEL WILMOT working in Boston from 1852-1862, and then in St. Paul, Minnesota from 1862-1864. There was also a T.N. WILMOT in St. Louis, working 1850-1860. We checked the rest of the rifle, and there are no other markings that we can see.

As with most hunting rifles, this example is fitted with a "set trigger", where depressing the rear trigger first until it clicks and just touching the front trigger discharges the weapon, hopefully with great accuracy. It is functional at present, and the hammer cannot be cocked at all until the rear trigger is set. However, once set, the front trigger can fire at both half and full cock, and we are not sure if this is correct.

The rifle is in overall very good condition, with light wear commensurate with age and only light service. The bore is excellent, showing a bright finish with crisp lands and grooves, and it does not show much sign of use. The metalwork shows a lovely aged patina, showing staining and peppering but no major oxidation. There is a wooden ramrod under the barrel, which looks to be a working life replacement, or not original to the gun.

The stock is lovely, with great chatoyancy throughout. There is a very nice cheek piece on the left side of the butt stock. As we often see due to how long and thin Pennsylvania rifles are, there is some cracking around the lock area on one side, which looks to have been repaired. There also may be some wood filler to the rear of the lock.

A very nice Pennsylvania Percussion rifle with a lovely stock and a great set trigger. Ready to display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: circa 1850
Caliber: approx. .39" with 8 groove rifling
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 40 ¾ Inches
Overall Length: 56 Inches
Action type: Back Action Percussion Lock
Feed System: Muzzle Loading

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