Original Item: One of a Kind. This is an exceptionally interesting mid 19th century Pennsylvania over and under percussion combination gun utilizing a swivel, or turnover, breech system that allows a single lock to fire either of two very different barrels. One barrel is approximately .34 caliber with eight groove rifling, while the second is an approximately 21 bore smoothbore barrel intended for shot. Measuring approximately 48" overall with a 32" double barrel assembly, the gun combines a highly unusual dual purpose action with a set trigger, hooked brass butt plate, cheekpiece, patchbox, dual ramrod arrangements, and a finely engraved trade lock marked JOSEPH / GOLCHER.

This is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, it may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and does not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. This firearm is sold solely as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only its present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Swivel breech combination guns were a particularly ingenious solution to the needs of the 19th century hunter. Rather than carrying both a rifle and a smoothbore, the shooter could rotate the paired barrel assembly and bring either barrel into alignment with the single percussion lock. This allowed the same arm to fire a rifled projectile for larger game or a shot charge for birds and small game.

American swivel breech arms were built in a wide variety of configurations, including rifle over rifle and rifle over smoothbore combinations. Surviving Pennsylvania examples demonstrate that this unusual action type was well established among American sporting gunmakers during the percussion era.

This example measures approximately:

48" overall
32" double barrel assembly

The rifled barrel measures approximately .34 caliber and retains eight groove rifling.

The second barrel is smoothbore and measures approximately 21 bore, giving the owner a genuinely useful combination of rifle and fowling gun in a single arm.

The barrel assembly is retained in its selected firing position by a trigger style locking catch beneath the barrels. Releasing the catch allows the complete over and under barrel group to rotate so that the desired chamber and percussion bolster can be brought into alignment with the lock.

The upper surface of the rifled barrel is marked:

S ✳ C ✳ DANNER ✳ PA

The rifle came to us attributed to Silas C. Danner of Carlisle, Pennsylvania. We have not located sufficiently reliable documentation confirming that identification, so we preserve the barrel marking exactly as found and describe the gun as attributed to S.C. Danner rather than assigning the maker's full identity as established fact.

Both barrels are additionally marked at the breech:

WORLY

This is an especially interesting marking. Pennsylvania gunmaking references record members of the Worly or Worley gunmaking tradition, including makers associated specifically with over and under barrels for percussion rifles. The exact individual responsible for these barrels has not been established from the marking alone, but the name provides another potentially important avenue for research into the gun's Pennsylvania manufacture.

The side lock is marked:

JOSEPH
GOLCHER

The lock plate is particularly attractive, with decorative engraving that includes a small hunting scene depicting a hound beneath a game bird in flight.

Golcher marked locks are widely encountered as commercial trade locks on American percussion rifles. Members of the Golcher family were active in both the British and American gun trades, and surviving Pennsylvania sporting rifles frequently carry Golcher locks even when the complete firearm was built by another gunsmith. For that reason, the JOSEPH GOLCHER marking identifies the lock maker or supplier rather than the maker of the complete combination gun.

The gun is fitted with a substantial American black walnut butt stock rather than a full fore stock. This exposed barrel arrangement is commonly encountered on swivel breech rifles because the complete barrel assembly must rotate freely. The stock incorporates a carved cheekpiece on the left side. A small white metal escutcheon is inset into the cheekpiece, with another small white metal escutcheon positioned on the back of the wrist.

The brass butt plate is deeply hooked in the target and sporting rifle tradition, helping secure the butt against the shoulder during deliberate offhand shooting. The right side of the butt stock carries an oval brass patchbox. Its hinged lid remains functional and opens correctly. The remaining furniture is primarily brass alloy. The trigger guard has the familiar pistol grip style rear extension seen on many Pennsylvania percussion sporting rifles and is relatively restrained in decoration while still being well made.

Brass ramrod pipes are mounted along both sides of the barrel group. Interestingly, one set is noticeably larger than the other, consistent with the very different bore diameters of the two barrels. The rods presently installed appear to be later display replacements rather than original working ramrods.

The gun is equipped with a functioning set trigger. The rear trigger must first be pressed until it engages, after which pressure on the front trigger releases the lock. On this example, the lock will not release unless the rear trigger is first set. The lock does retain a half cock position, but if the set trigger is engaged while the hammer is at half cock, pulling the front trigger can cause the lock to release. The trigger therefore should not be set until the hammer is at full cock. This is an important mechanical condition issue and is disclosed exactly as observed.

Both barrels have percussion bolsters with cleanout screws. The screws are presently frozen, and their slots show deformation from previous attempts at removal. The percussion nipples appear to be comparatively recent replacements and show substantially less corrosion than the surrounding bolster and barrel surfaces.

The rifled barrel is fitted with a simple fixed rear sight and a brass blade front sight mounted in dovetails. There is also a threaded aperture in the barrel tang and another sight dovetail farther forward on the barrel. These may have accommodated an additional target or peep sight arrangement at some point, although the original configuration cannot presently be established.

The smoothbore barrel carries only a front sight, appropriate to its intended use with shot.

The .34 caliber rifled bore is in very good condition. The eight groove rifling remains clearly defined and the interior is partly bright. There is light wear to the lands from use, together with several small areas of old powder fouling and oxidation.

The 21 bore smoothbore barrel is clear and shows light overall evidence of past fouling and oxidation.

The exterior metalwork has developed an attractive aged gray and brown patina. There is evidence of old oxidation that has been cleaned away, together with more noticeable corrosion around the percussion bolsters, but we do not see major destructive rust damage.

The American black walnut butt stock remains in very good condition and has developed a handsome red brown color with a pleasing waxed surface. It shows the expected light dents, scratches, and handling wear but no major structural damage or significant stock repairs were observed.

With its unusual rifle and smoothbore combination, rotating over and under barrel assembly, S ✳ C ✳ DANNER ✳ PA marking, separate WORLY barrel marks, engraved JOSEPH GOLCHER trade lock, working set trigger, hooked butt plate, patchbox, and strong rifled bore, this is an exceptionally interesting example of inventive Pennsylvania sporting gunmaking. It would be a standout addition to a collection of American percussion arms, Pennsylvania rifles, swivel breech firearms, combination guns, or unusual mid 19th century sporting weapons.

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: circa 1850
Maker: S.C. Danner
Caliber (Rifle Barrel): approx .34" eight groove rifling
Caliber (Fowling Barrel): 0.608" - 21 Bore
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 32 Inches
Overall Length: 48 Inches
Action type: Back Action Percussion Lock
Feed System: Muzzle Loading Swivel Breech
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

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.

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.

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.