Original Item: One of a kind. A combination gun is typically a firearm that usually has one rifled barrel and one smoothbore barrel, that is typically used with shot or some type of shotgun slug. While more modern styles utilizing cartridges were "over and under" designs, during the percussion era, most of these were side by side. Having ammunition ready for several different types of game definitely had its advantages.

This is a lovely well-used example of a "Cape Gun", a side-by-side version of a combination gun that were typically European in origin, however this example was made in the United States. These were at one time popular in Southern Africa, particularly the cape region, where a wide variety of game could be encountered. This is how they acquired their moniker, which continued in use even after they became more wide spread. While the British style of combination gun usually had the rifled barrel on the left side, the German and Austrian cape guns have the rifled barrel on the right side, which is fired by the front trigger. The front trigger is usually a set trigger as well, however this example does not, as far as we can tell.

This American made example fits the pattern very well, and like the British examples has a 24 bore shotgun barrel on the left, and a 0.39" rifled barrel on the right, which are just about the same size externally. The tops of the barrels are marked with the maker name and address:-

GILBERT & BALES

PENN YAN N.Y.

This is a known maker from the Finger Lakes region of New York State, located at the northern end of Keuka Lake's eastern branch. We unfortunately were not able to find much information about the company, which may have just been a retailer that remarked trade guns. We checked the underside of the barrels, and both are marked JB, probably the initials of the original maker, and also with sequential serial number 1381 and 1382.

The gun is mostly fit with iron, which does not bear any engraving or other adornment, looking to be a utilitarian gun intended for mid 19th century hunting, which was still very important as a food supply. The nose cap and barrel wedge escutcheons are nickel silver, as is the relatively plain patch box on the right side of the butt stock, which still opens easily. The top of the barrel is fitted with a wedge-adjusted rear sight, and a nickel bladed front sight. Both back-action locks are fully functional, holding at half-cock and firing at full. The cap nipple cones are in very good shape, though definitely look to be replacements that do not thread all the way into the barrels. We checked the bores, and the smoothbore barrel looks to have been thoroughly cleaned recently, possibly even honed on the interior, and is in great shape. The rifled barrel still shows clear rifling, with some light fouling in the grooves, but overall is in very good shape, with the lands still bright. It saw use, but was well cared for and cleaned to make sure it did not oxidize.

The gun has a lovely walnut half-stock, which shows a great color and grain. We did notice that it has a repaired crack on the bottom of the fore stock area running from the barrel wedge escutcheons, but it does not look to have gone all the way through the stock. There are pipes for a ramrod under the barrel assembly, and in this case there is a lovely brass-fitted ramrod present, which definitely looks to be original. It is wider at the front end for use with both barrels, and the rear end has a brass cover with a threaded hole on it, and also unscrews to show another threaded hole, though there are no tools included.

A lovely example of a Victorian Era hunting gun, made in the United States for possible export to South Africa. Ready to research and display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: circa 1850
Shotgun Caliber: 24 Bore - about 0.576"
Rifle Caliber: 0.39" with 6 groove rifling
Cartridge Type: Lead Shot/ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 30 Inches
Overall Length: 46 1/2 Inches
Action type: Side Action Percussion Locks
Feed System: Muzzle Loading

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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 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.