Item Description
This very Musket was featured and test fired on an episode of History Channel's Pawn Stars in April 2024. You can watch it on the episode below:
Original Item: One of a Kind. This is a lovely example of a VERY scarce experimental early percussion musket design. During the late 1830s the British underwent trials of various experimental percussion designs to replace the venerable Brown Bess Musket. The eventual winner was an experimental back action enclosed hammer design presented by George Lovell, Store-keeper at Manufactory at Enfield. The design was inspired by the enclosed flint-lock of Henry Nock.
One of the other designs looked at during this time was this interesting mechanically primed percussion underhammer .75 caliber smoothbore musket, actually based on a design by a French Urologist, Baron Charles Louis Stanislaus Heurteloup. This design was based on a primer described as 'a small pipe or tube made of soft metal or other substance which may be easily divided, containing the priming', and patents were secured in France and in England. The first example of this utilized a standard side action lock design, with these primers stored in the butt of the gun. This was then changed to an underhammer design to avoid possibly infringing on a previous patent, and the primer storage moved into the fore stock in front of the hammer. It was this "Koptipeur" design that was presented to the British Board of ordnance for trials, where it was rejected. It was however accepted and used to some extent in France and Belgium.
Fewer than 100 of these muskets were made, and this example bears the "Opposed Broad Arrows" British Board of Ordnance “sold out of service” markings on the right side of the butt stock and on the left side by the lock. There is also the number 113 stamped on the right side of the butt stock by the butt plate. The left side of barrel also has an ЯR / Broad Arrow marking. As with most trials rifles, there are no other markings present on the gun at all.
A lovely example of an extremely scarce experimental ignition system that was definitely ahead of its time. Ready to add to your collection!
Specifications:
Years of Manufacture: circa 1837
Caliber: .70 inches
Ammunition Type: Ball & Powder with Percussion Strip
Barrel Length: 39"
Overall Length: 54 3/4"
Action: Underhammer Percussion
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded
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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