Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. Just purchased at a recent military auction! Starting in the 17th Century, the relatively unexploited lands of North America led to development of a very large fur trade, sending large numbers of furs from animals such as Beaver back to Europe, where they were very much in demand. Later, as the colonies grew in the period up to the American revolution, domestic demand increased as well. After the formation of the United States, domestic arms production was now able to supply hunters and fur traders, who no longer relied on the Native American population to supply furs.
Here is an octagonal barreled very nice New York fur trade "Beaver Rifle", very similar in design to "Pennsylvania" and "Kentucky" style rifles, but definitely with a straighter overall profile. It has a heavy .43" caliber octagonal barrel with 8 groove rifling, and is marked clearly on the lock plate by the maker / retailer:
WARREN
& STEELE
ALBANY
We have not been able to find out much on this maker, however we did find many other mid 19th century examples marked like this on the lock. The barrel was outsourced, and is marked by maker W. OGDEN / OWEGO. N.Y.. The Ogden family of Owego New York produced many gunmakers in the early 19th century, and at least three different markings are known, including W. OGDEN, W.&C. OGDEN, and J. OGDEN, all in Owego, which is about 20 miles west of Binghamton.
We estimate that this octagonal barrel rifle was made about 1835, and features all brass mounts and some nickel silver ornamentation, such as the nose cap and escutcheons. The half length stock is lovely, and looks to be made from walnut, a very popular and durable hardwood that is also quite attractive. The butt stock has a fantastic brass patch box on the right hand side, opened by a button on the bottom of the butt stock. The left side has a a nice cheek piece, which has a nickel silver ornament that looks like two game fowl standing together. The stock is really in great shape, and we do not see any cracks or other damage.
As with most U.S. 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 fully functional at present, and the rear trigger must be "set" before the lock will fire at all. There is no half cock position due to this. The bore is in very good condition, showing clear rifling and a partly bright finish, with some oxidation and fouling in the grooves. The wooden ramrod looks to be original, and has an iron "clearing worm" screw on the end.
Almost a time capsule all on its own, a truly exceptional example, marked by two known New York Makers. A fantastic collector's opportunity!
Specifications-
Year of Manufacture: circa 1835
Caliber: approx .43" eight groove rifling
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 36 1/2 Inches
Overall Length: 52 1/2 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 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, 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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