Original Item: One-of-a-Kind. This is a particularly handsome and unusual American made percussion Cape Gun, combining a .43 caliber rifled barrel and approximately 30 bore smoothbore shotgun barrel in a single side by side sporting arm. Dating to approximately 1850 and marked for manufacture in Lansingburgh, New York, with an additional E. HUTCHINGS & Co AGENTS BALTIMORE retail marking, this was clearly an upmarket sporting gun intended for a prosperous 19th century hunter. Its engraved nickel silver furniture, spring loaded game engraved patchbox, sculpted trigger guard, hunter’s star stock inlay, double sighting systems, set trigger arrangement, fine walnut half stock, and original appearing brass fitted combination ramrod all point to a much higher grade arm than an ordinary working shotgun. American made Cape Guns are considerably less commonly encountered than their European counterparts, making this an especially interesting example of the sophisticated sporting arms produced in the Hudson River gunmaking region during the percussion era.

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.

A combination gun gave a 19th century sportsman something extremely useful in an era before interchangeable cartridge firearms became commonplace: two very different hunting capabilities in one gun. One barrel could be rifled for a single projectile and larger game, while the other remained smoothbore for shot and birds or small game. For a hunter traveling through country where the day’s quarry was uncertain, carrying one firearm capable of performing both roles offered obvious practical advantages.

The side by side version became popularly known as the Cape Gun, a name strongly associated with sporting use in southern Africa, particularly the Cape region, where hunters could encounter an enormous variety of game. The terminology eventually became widely used for side by side rifle and shotgun combination guns regardless of where they were manufactured or used.

European Cape Guns are most strongly associated with British, German, Austrian, and Belgian makers. This example is particularly interesting because it is unmistakably marked as an American product from Lansingburgh, New York, an important 19th century gunmaking center immediately north of Troy on the Hudson River.

The two barrels are approximately the same external size but perform different functions.

The left barrel is a smoothbore approximately:

30 Bore - about 0.537"

The right barrel is rifled approximately:

0.43" caliber

with:

8 groove rifling

This right side rifle arrangement resembles the configuration frequently encountered on German and Austrian Cape Guns. The front trigger is associated with the rifle barrel and incorporates a single set trigger mechanism intended to provide a lighter, more precise trigger pull when taking a carefully aimed rifle shot.

The barrel assembly measures:

32 3/4 Inches

The top rib carries a lengthy maker and retailer inscription. Unfortunately, the first portion is substantially worn and cannot presently be read with confidence. What remains visible is:

???????AKER LANSINGBURGH N.Y. E. HUTCHINGS & Co AGENTS BALTIMORE

The LANSINGBURGH N.Y. portion provides an important geographic connection to one of upstate New York’s notable early gunmaking communities.

Lansingburgh developed a substantial firearms industry during the first half of the 19th century. The Caswell family was among the best known gunmaking families associated with the town, and the neighboring Troy region also became famous for high quality sporting rifles and combination guns, most notably through the work of gunmaker Nelson Lewis.

The original attribution of this gun to John M. Caswell is intriguing but cannot presently be confirmed. The visible portion of the maker’s name appears to terminate in “AKER,” while the missing section toward the breech is too badly worn to establish the complete name. We therefore prefer to leave the maker unidentified rather than attribute an important American sporting arm to a specific craftsman without a readable signature.

The second portion of the inscription reads:

E. HUTCHINGS & Co AGENTS BALTIMORE

This indicates that the gun was retailed or represented through E. Hutchings & Co. in Baltimore. The presence of both a Lansingburgh manufacturing location and a Baltimore agent is a fascinating illustration of the commercial networks through which high grade American sporting arms were sold during the middle of the 19th century.

The barrels were removed for inspection, and only a few additional unidentified markings were observed underneath. No marking found there allowed us to establish the manufacturer conclusively.

The quality of the furniture immediately distinguishes this as an expensive sporting gun.

Much of the furniture is executed in beautifully engraved nickel silver rather than ordinary iron or plain brass. The decorative work incorporates hunting imagery and traditional scroll motifs.

The butt contains a particularly attractive spring loaded patchbox. A concealed release button is positioned on the bottom of the stock, and pressing it releases the hinged cover.

The patchbox lid is engraved with a detailed game bird scene, perfectly appropriate for a combination hunting gun capable of taking both feathered and larger game.

Additional game bird engraving appears on the ornate pistol grip style trigger guard.

The remaining decorative fittings use attractive acanthus leaf motifs, giving the gun a coordinated engraving scheme rather than a collection of unrelated ornament.

The left side cheekpiece is further decorated with an inlaid:

hunter’s star

another classic feature of higher grade American sporting rifles of the period.

The gun is equipped with separate sighting arrangements appropriate to its dual purpose.

A simple ball style front sight positioned toward the center provides a practical sighting reference for the smoothbore shotgun barrel.

The rifled right barrel is provided with its own:

notch rear sight
blade front sight

allowing considerably more precise aiming when the rifle barrel was used.

The two side action percussion locks remain present.

The left lock, serving the smoothbore barrel, is mechanically functional. It holds correctly at half cock and releases from full cock when the trigger is pulled.

The right lock, serving the rifle barrel, is not presently functioning correctly. It can be brought to full cock but releases immediately rather than remaining securely engaged.

The rifle side incorporates a:

single set trigger

which presently appears to be out of adjustment. The relationship between the trigger adjustment and the right lock issue has not been determined.

The percussion nipple cones are in very good condition but appear to be replacements. The left nipple does not thread completely into its bolster.

The bores are unusually attractive for a percussion sporting gun of this age.

The approximately 30 bore smoothbore barrel appears to have been thoroughly cleaned relatively recently. The interior may possibly have been honed, although we cannot confirm that. It is presently in very good condition.

The .43 caliber rifle barrel is likewise in excellent visual condition, retaining a bright bore with clearly defined:

8 groove rifling

Based upon its present appearance, the rifled bore does not appear to have suffered the extensive black powder corrosion frequently encountered in percussion sporting arms.

The gun is stocked in a very attractive walnut half stock with excellent natural color and grain. The left side incorporates the previously mentioned cheekpiece and hunter’s star inlay.

The stock shows the expected handling and service wear of a sporting arm approximately 175 years old but remains especially attractive.

Ramrod pipes are mounted beneath the barrel assembly, and a fine brass fitted wooden ramrod remains present. It appears entirely consistent with the gun and may well be original.

The brass ramming head can be unscrewed to reveal a concealed:

clearing worm

This type of multi-purpose ramrod fitting was a thoughtful and useful feature on a muzzleloading sporting gun, allowing the shooter to retrieve patches, wadding, or other material from the bore when necessary.

The combination of a shotgun and rifle in one arm reflected a style of hunting that largely disappeared with the development of inexpensive repeating and cartridge firearms. In the percussion era, however, an individual traveling into rural or wilderness areas could not simply carry an assortment of specialized guns. A well made combination gun offered versatility without requiring a second long arm.

This example also represents an interesting chapter in American sporting gun manufacture. While the Cape Gun is normally associated with European makers, craftsmen in the Hudson River and Troy-Lansingburgh region were producing highly sophisticated target rifles, hunting rifles, and rifle-shotgun combinations during the middle decades of the 19th century. The level of engraving and stock work on this example demonstrates that American customers could order sporting arms every bit as individual and elaborate as imported European pieces.

With its Lansingburgh, New York manufacture marking, Baltimore agent inscription, .43 caliber eight groove rifle barrel, 30 bore smoothbore barrel, extensive nickel silver engraving, game bird decorated spring loaded patchbox, hunter’s star stock inlay, set trigger, fine walnut half stock, and brass fitted ramrod with concealed worm, this is an especially attractive example of an American percussion combination gun. The unidentified maker, replacement nipple cones, imperfectly seated left nipple, malfunctioning right lock, out of adjustment set trigger, possible bore honing, and worn barrel inscription are fully disclosed. It would make a superb addition to an advanced American sporting arms, New York gunmaking, percussion firearm, Cape Gun, or mid-19th century hunting collection.

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: circa 1850
Shotgun Caliber: 30 Bore - about 0.537"
Rifle Caliber: 0.43" with 8 groove rifling
Cartridge Type: Lead Shot/ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 32 3/4 Inches
Overall Length: 48 1/2 Inches
Action type: Side Action Percussion Locks
Feed System: Muzzle Loading

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.