Original Item: Only One Available. Just purchased at a recent military auction! This is a very nice U.S. Civil War era heavy barreled percussion target rifle, typical of those used by early Yankee / Union sharpshooters during the conflict. This is somewhat unusual in that it was made in the style of a Pennsylvania long rifle, sometimes referred to as a "Kentucky Rifle", with a full length CURLY MAPLE stock and all brass mounts. It features a 37 1/2 inch long octagonal barrel with 6 groove rifling and a bore of .34-35", one of the typical sizes seen for Pennsylvania rifles. Overall length is 53 1/2" and the barrel is very heavy for accurate shooting, much like "bench rest" rifles of the day.

As with many rifles produced during this period, it is fitted with a "trade lock", which is worn and no longer has any visible markings. The top of the barrel however is marked with a somewhat famous maker:

P. A. REINHARD

Born June 1, 1827 in the Kingdom of Bavaria, Peter A. Reinhard spent his early years there before his family emigrated to the United States when he was five years old. They settled in Columbus, OH., where he would be apprenticed to gunsmith Cornelius Jacobs, perfecting his craft. In 1849 he married Katherine Klee and moved to the small town of Loudonville, quickly opening up a shop to make and repair guns. 

During his early years Reinhard became quite adept at building and repairing muzzle-loading rifles, the main guns in use at the time, and he became one of the best at both building and shooting them. As his notoriety grew, his shop on North Water Street became one of Loudonville's main attractions. Aside from making top quality guns, Reinhard also shot them, and won many shooting competitions during his day. At the time his muzzle loaders fetched top dollar, and are still sought after to this day. This is exactly the correct period one would expect to see for an early Civil War sharpshooter's rifle.

As with most target and sharpshooter 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 cock will hold at all. There is no provision for a half cock position due to this.

The rifle is in overall very good condition, with wear commensurate with age and service. The stocks on "Pennsylvania" style rifles are somewhat thin, so cracking is common and this example is no exception. There is a stock crack at the front of the lock plate, where there is some wood missing, and there is also a crack running back from the lock screw on the other side. There is a repaired crack near the ramrod throat fitting, and wood missing along the woodline on the rear left and front right woodline areas. Tiger maple is very attractive, but not the strongest wood due to the compressed grain pattern, which can split. The bore is in good condition and still shows the six groove rifling well, but it definitely shows past fouling and oxidation, which we have left intact. There is a simple wooden cleaning rod installed, which is just for display.

This fine rifle has a good chance of being one of many pressed into service in the early part of the Civil War by the Union. A very fine example by a famous maker in very collectable condition.

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: c.1855
Caliber: approx .25" six groove rifling
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 37 1/2 Inches
Overall Length: 53 1/2 Inches
Action type: Side Action Percussion Lock
Feed System: Muzzle Loading

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, and are not tested for the 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.