Original Item: Only One Available. Just purchased at a recent military auction! This is a very nice U.S. Civil War era percussion target rifle, in this case in "child size", or possibly "lady's size". It measures only 39 1/4" in length, and is fitted with a heavy two stage part octagon part round barrel that is 16 sided at the transition. This is in a small .31" caliber, with eight groove rifling, and the rifle was definitely intended for target use, but definitely for a smaller person. The heavy weight reduced recoil significantly, while also increasing accuracy, definitely important when the overall length is so short.

We checked the entire rifle, and we were not able to find markings of any type, however it definitely shows a high level of manufacture, much like "Pennsylvania" and "Kentucky" rifles we have seen in the past. It is half-stocked, featuring all "German Silver" cupronickel alloy fittings, which are highly decorative. The trigger guard is a "pistol grip" style, and thee are inlays on both sides of the stock, including on the cheek piece on the left side of the stock. The right side has a lovely patch box, which can still be opened easily. The front of the barrel is fitted with a globe "ball on post" sight, and there is a rear aperture "peep" sight".

As with most target and sharpshooter rifles, this example is fitted with a "set trigger", though in this case it is a 'single' type. The trigger is "set" by pushing it forward, after which the hammer can be moved to the half and fully cocked positions. It will then fire when the trigger is just touched lightly, which discharges the weapon, hopefully with great accuracy. The hammer will not hold at either half or full cock until the trigger is set, and after it is set it will fire at both full or half cock, so it may require adjustment. Please note that trigger require quite a bit of force to move it forward to "set" it.

The rifle is in overall very good condition, with wear commensurate with age and service. It looks to have been restored and repaired in the past, and we can see wood graft repairs on both sides of the wood line by the barrel, as well as some around the escutcheons for the barrel wedge. There are even some around the front of the lock plate. The stock still has a lovely red brown color, and the old American Black Walnut really glows. The bore is in very good condition and still shows the eight groove rifling well, with some past fouling and oxidation in the grooves. There is a simple wooden cleaning rod installed, which is just for display.

A lovely example of a scaled down mid 19th century target rifle, ready to research and display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: c.1855
Caliber: approx .31" eight groove rifling
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 24 Inches
Overall Length: 39 1/4 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.