Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. Just purchased at a recent military auction! Here is an octagonal barreled very upmarket "Kentucky" style target rifle, which more correctly is known as a Pennsylvania Rifle. It is in one of the usual calibers we usually see these in, .43", and has a very heavy octagonal barrel with seven groove rifling.
The style and appointments are very typical of the rifles made in Western Pennsylvania, specifically by Charles Flowers of Harmony, Pennsylvania circa 1850. The style is very typical, and it has been fitted after production with a rear flip up peep sight. There is a blade front sight mounted in the front dovetail, and a notch sight at the back, though we do not know if either of these were intended for use with the peep sight, which is somewhat bent downwards.
The rifle features a very nice British rear action trade lock, which is marked with the makers information:
JOSEPH
GOLCHER
JOSEPH GOLCHER was an English gunsmith based on KING STREET, DARLASTON in STAFFORDSHIRE, ENGLAND, who worked from 1830 to 1865. We have had several examples of "Pennsylvania rifles" bearing his fine locks. The lock plate also has some lovely engraving, showing the usual scrollwork, and also a game bird in flight followed by a hound.
We estimate that this octagonal barrel rifle was made about 1850, and features all "German Silver" cupronickel alloy mounts. There is an inlaid crescent moon on the left butt stock cheek rest. The full length stock is lovely, made of very attractive tiger maple, complete with an patch box on the right side of the butt stock, which still has some patches inside! The stock itself does show wear, and looks to have broken and been repaired just forward of the middle barrel wedge escutcheon by the middle ramrod pipe. The middle barrel wedge is also missing.
As with most target 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 fully functional at present, though due to the age of the rifle it can be finicky. It does not have a half cock position, and the forward trigger is the popular "post" type.
The bore is in good shape, with strong rifling, with just some light wear and oxidation. There is a simple wooden cleaning rod installed, which is just for display, and is also broken, with one end missing. It only measures 21 1/2 inches long.
A very nice example of a mid 19th Century "Pennsylvania" target rifle, ready to add to your collection!
Specifications-
Year of Manufacture: c.1850
Caliber: approx .43" seven groove rifling
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 38 1/2 Inches
Overall Length: 55 1/2 Inches
Action type: Rear 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.
- This product is not available for shipping in US state(s): New Jersey
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. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers". 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.
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