Original Item: Only One Available. Just purchased at a recent military auction! Here is a great high end percussion target rifle, with a very substantial heavy octagonal barrel. It is in one of the standard calibers we usually see these in, .41", and has six groove rifling. These were intended for target shooting, or sometimes hunting, fired from a prone position. The heavy weight reduced recoil significantly, while also increasing accuracy.

The left side of the barrel near the rear sight is marked with the maker's name and location:

F. WASSMANN
WASHINGTON.D.C.

Frederick Wassmann was a German immigrant who arrived in the U.S. before the Civil War, and started a shop in the Georgetown district of Washington, D.C.. He was noted for the the fine craftsmanship of his work, and produced a very limited number of high quality rifles. He worked from 1854 to 1887, and operated a gunsmith shop at 902 Pennsylvania Avenue for over 20 years.

This example is half-stocked with lovely American black walnut, which has achieved a fantastic red-brown color over the years. It is checkered on the wrist, which is still in great shape, and it has much of the original "piano varnish" finish still retained. There is also a threaded escutcheon under the fore stock for attachment of a palm rest, or even possibly some type of support. The stock is in great shape, with very little in the way of wear or damage from use. There is a crack running from the front of the trigger guard to the palm rest escutcheon, as well as one on the left side running from the barrel wedge escutcheon to the nose cap. There is also a crack to the rear of the lock plate, running to the barrel tang.

The rifle is well balanced, and very comfortable against the shoulder, with the curved butt plate and cheek piece lining up great. The front of the barrel features a lovely German Silver front blade sight, with an adjustable "Lollipop" style rear aperture sight. The rifle features all iron fittings, which are all elaborately engraved with foliate designs and scroll work, also present on the breech of the barrel as well. Originally the barrel and hardware would have been blued, with the breech plug, barrel tang, and barrel being case hardened. The blued areas are now faded to a lovely plum patina, with a faded stained look on the case-hardened areas.

As with most target 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. The system on this rifle is set up perfectly, close to a hair trigger. The lock has a half cock position, and correctly will only fire from full cock, with or without the set trigger. The bore of the rifle is clean and shows a mostly bright finish, though there is some wear and past oxidation to the six groove rifling. This definitely looks to have seen use for a time, but was well cared for. There is a cleaning rod under the barrel, but it looks to be a replacement.

These sharpshooting rifles became the back bone of the opposing armies in the early days of the U.S. Civil War. This was first war in the U.S. where shooting with deadly accuracy made a real impression. A fine pre Civil War weapon that possibly got forced into combat, especially on the Confederate side. Ready to display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: circa 1860
Caliber: approx .41" six groove rifling
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 23 Inches
Overall Length: 40 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.