Original Item: Only One Available. A gallery gun, Flobert gun, parlor gun or saloon gun is a type of firearm designed for recreational indoor target shooting. At the time, as strange as it might seem today, indoor shooting at home or in a shooting parlor was relatively common. Special small caliber low propellant load rifles and pistols were designed, some were even suitable for shooting at home. These guns were first developed in 1845, when French inventor Louis-Nicolas Flobert created the first rimfire metallic cartridge by modifying a percussion cap to hold a small lead bullet. The design was later improved to make larger cartridges, but the original smaller designs continued to be use for target practice. In the 19th century, gallery guns were typically pump-action rifles chambered in .22 Short.

This is a beautiful Belgian upmarket .22cal Parlor Shooting Rifle, utilizing a type of rolling block action to fire very low powered rimfire ammunition. It does not utilize any type of locking breech, and the functions of the hammer and breech block have been combined. When the rifle is fired the breech closes and strikes the rim of the cartridge at the same time. Definitely not a mechanism suitable for anything but very underpowered parlor guns. There is also a spring loaded ejector on the right side of the barrel to pull out the diminutive cartridges.

There are no maker markings that we can see anywhere on the gun, however it does have a clear E / L G / * in an Oval proof on the left side of the breech, indicating manufacture in Liège, Belgium. This marking was originally used for all guns, however after 1891, was only used for muzzleloaders. This being a breechloader means it was made prior to 1891, and is definitively considered a Pre-1899 Antique Firearm by the BATF. It also has serial number 1770 stamped onto the bottom of the barrel.

This parlor rifle is really a lovely example, looking very much like a high end match shooting rifle. It features a fantastic figured walnut half stock, which has a great cheek piece on the left side, and is in great shape. It is all iron mounted, with a highly curved target style butt cap shoulder rest, and the ornate trigger guard has a "pistol grip" around the wrist. The heavy octagonal barrel is fitted with highly adjustable target sights, and there are even sling swivels on the butt stock and barrel.

Condition of the gun is really very nice, showing a lovely aged patina on the metalwork, with just a bit of past peppering, but no major oxidation. The action works great, and there are no real deficiencies to note. The stock shows some light wear, but really presents well. With a bit of waxing it'll probably look even better!

A very interesting piece of firearms history. Ready to research and display!

Specifications: 

Year of Manufacture: circa 1870
Caliber: .22"
Ammunition Type: "Flobert" Rimfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 25 1/4 inches
Overall Length: 42 1/2 inches
Action: Rolling "Block" Hammer
Feed System: Single Shot

NOTE: This gun is NOT considered obsolete calibre, so we are not able to ship to the United Kingdom. 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.