Item:
ONJR22ONS003

Original U.S. Civil War Era Percussion Target Rifle with Set Trigger & Trade Lock by G. Goulcher including Bullet Starter c. 1845-55

Item Description

Original Item: Only One Available. Just purchased at a recent military auction! Here is an octagonal barreled very substantial percussion target rifle. It is in one of the standard calibers we usually see these in, .39", and has a very heavy octagonal barrel with seven 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 front 11/16" of the barrel is turned down round, so that it can be fitted with the included "Bullet Starter", designed to carefully press the lead ball / bullet into the muzzle of the barrel, minimizing wear to the rifling. It also is cup shaped to keep the bullet from rotating or deforming. We believe it is complete, but we have not seen one of this type before, so there may be an additional part used to help form the bullets.

The top of the barrel near the rear sight is marked by what may be the maker, or possibly a retailer or owner located in Indiana:

CHARLES    PRETESCH
N. HARMONY     IND.

We have not been able to find anything on this name, and leave it as an excellent research opportunity. Like many target rifles of the period, this example was made using a British percussion "trade" lock marked G. GOULCHER, who worked in Darlaston in Staffordshire from 1830 until 1872, with his son taking over in 1864. He exported a lot of locks to the United States, and many examples of Pennsylvania / Kentucky Rifles have been made using them. The lock has some great engraving, including a "Hunter" on the tail.

We estimate that this octagonal barrel rifle was made about 1845-55, and it features brass mountings of the trigger guard, butt plate, side plate, and the ramrod pipe "mouth" on the stock. The nose cap and barrel wedge escutcheons are "German Silver" cupronickel alloy instead. The rear sight is a simple notch sight, while the front side has unfortunately been knocked off. However we can see that there were other sights mounted previously, and there are holes tapped in the barrel tang for the attachment of a "peep" or other type of long range sight. There is an oval impression around the area, so there was definitely one fitted at some time.

The half length stock is lovely, made of highly figured "Tiger" flamed maple, complete with carved in cheek piece on left side of the Butt Stock. There is a wooden ramrod installed with a brass end, but it looks to definitely be a working life replacement. The bore is in great shape, clean with bright finish and mostly clear rifling, showing only light use.

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. There is no half cock position, commonly seen on set trigger locks, as there is no way to fire the it without setting the trigger. It is fully functional at present, and is really close to a "hair trigger". It should only be set once the lock is cocked and ready to use due to how sensitive it is.

These sharpshooting rifles became the back bone of the opposing armies in the following Civil War. The first war 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: c.1845-55
Caliber: approx .39" seven groove rifling
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 31 Inches

Overall Length: 47 Inches
Action type: Side Action Percussion Lock
Feed System: Muzzle Loading

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