Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice heavy barreled "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. It features all brass mountings with a cheekpiece. The rifle features a 37 ¼ inch long octagonal barrel with a bore of about 0.47", which looks to have either had the rifling worn away, or was bored out to use as a fowling piece. Overall length is 51 ¾ inches, and the barrel is very heavy for accurate shooting, much like "bench rest" rifles of the day.
As with many rifles produced during this period, it is fitted with a "trade lock", in this case marked at the front under the frizzen spring with WALSEN A MASTRI for Van Walsen of Maastricht, a lock maker based in the Netherlands. They most likely didn’t manufacture the rest of the gun, but there are no other markings on the rifle. This rifle dates to the 1820, but the lock is possibly far older, as they were often re-used for decades.
The rifle is in fair condition with heavy wear to the stock and barrel nocks form from powder burn. It features a simple rear notch sight with a front brass blade sight, with no signs that other sights were present in the past. The bore is rather dirty on this example, showing wear and oxidation since being smooth bored. The metalwork shows a lovely aged patina, and the lock is partially functional, holding at only half cock, and does display a lot of slop in the mechanics. There is a wooden ramrod under the barrel, but it looks to be a display replacement.
The stock is rough primarily towards the butt, where there are a myriad of dents, nicks, and scratches in the stock. There is a crack between the lock plate and the trigger, with another stretching from the trigger guard tang to the cheekpiece. There is also some cracking and repairs around the lock plate, as well as a few by the brass nose cap. There is also one sling swivel retained toward the front.
A very nice Pennsylvania Percussion Hunting rifle with a lovely stock and some great research potential. Ready to display!
Specifications-
Year of Manufacture: c.1820
Caliber: approx .47" smooth bore
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 37¼ Inches
Overall Length: 51¾ Inches
Action type: Side Action Percussion Lock
Feed System: Muzzle Loading
NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.
- This product is available for international shipping.
IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.
These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.
Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.
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