Original 19th Century Austrian Percussion Target Hunting Rifle by Franz Steskal of Vienna with Octagonal Barrel & Double Set Triggers - circa 1840
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Original item: Only One Available. Here we have a lovely Austrian Percussion Rifle for Target Shooting and Hunting, possibly imported into the U.S. before the Civil War. It is definitely an upmarket example, featuring a Damast-Stahl (Damascus Steel) octagonal barrel and exquisitely engraved fittings. It has a lovely figured walnut half stock with checkering at the wrist and fore stock area and high profile carved cheek piece. It is marked on the lock with F. STESKAL, and is also maker marked on the top of the barrel:-
F. STESKAL, IN WIEN,
Franz Steskal of Vienna, Austria is a known maker of bespoke target rifles in both flintlock and percussion, some of which would later be converted to small caliber parlor rifles. This example however is still in the original configuration, and features a 26 3/4 inch long octagonal barrel, which has a bore of about 0.38" with seven groove rifling, and has an overall length of 42 1/2 inches. The bore is still in excellent condition, bright and shiny with little sign of use. There is a ring around the muzzle, so it may have been re-lined at some point, however the condition of the cap bolster does not suggest that it saw extensive use in the past. The engraving on the lock, hammer breech plug, and barrel tang is all still crisp, while that on the nose cap and trigger guard shows a bit of wear.
The rifle features a lovely side action lock in the distinctive Austrian shape, and is all iron mounted, with the exception of the barrel wedge escutcheons and a small plate under the fore stock, which are "German Silver". The stock is lovely, with checkering around the wrist and fore stock area, and has a substantial butt stock with a lovely cheek piece on the left side, and a flat iron butt plate. There is also a wood or horn "pistol grip" extension to the rear of the trigger guard.
Like many high end 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 cock at all. It does have a half cock position, and must be put to full cock before it will fire. The barrel looks to have had several different types of sights fitted over its lifetime, and now has a front blade sight and a rear "peep" aperture sight mounted on the barrel tang, which has an adjustment at the bottom. There is an original brass tipped ramrod under the barrel however it sticks out, so either there is something stuck in the channel, or it is too long for the rifle.
A lovely Austrian sporting rifle with a fantastic bore and some great research potential. Ready to research and display!
Specifications:-
Year of Manufacture: circa 1840
Caliber: about .38" with 7 groove rifling
Ammunition Type: Cap and Ball
Barrel Length: 26 3/4 Inches
Overall Length: 42 1/2 Inches
Action type: Side action Percussion lock
Feed System: Single Shot
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- This product is not available for shipping in US state(s): New Jersey
This product is available for international shipping.
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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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