Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original U.S. Civil War era half stocked underhammer percussion target rifle made by William Billinghurst of Rochester, New York, circa 1860. Built with an exceptionally heavy 30 1/2" octagonal barrel, .39" rifled bore, globe front sight, and a fitted bullet starter, it is a substantial example of the specialized target and bench rifles produced during the mid-19th century.

This is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. It is sold as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or evaluated by a professional gunsmith. The mechanical and bore observations below describe only its present condition and do not establish that it is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

The rifle has a 30 1/2" octagonal barrel with six groove rifling and a bore measuring approximately .39". Overall length is 46 3/4". The barrel measures approximately 1.45" across the flats, with walls thicker than the diameter of the bore itself. The complete rifle weighs approximately 17 pounds, giving it the mass and stability associated with period target and bench rest shooting.

The top barrel flat near the breech is marked:

W. BILLINGHURST
ROCHESTER, N Y.

No additional markings were located during inspection.

William Billinghurst was a well regarded Rochester gunmaker known for underhammer target rifles and precision shooting arms. He was also associated with competitive marksmanship and the development of revolving firearms. He is listed in American Gun Makers by Arkadi Gluckmann as an "Internationally famous maker and match shooter." This rifle’s heavy barrel, specialized sights, and bullet starter are consistent with the type of carefully built target arm for which his work is recognized.

The rifle is fitted with a bullet starter at the muzzle. This device was intended to begin the projectile squarely and consistently into the rifling before it entered the bore, helping protect the muzzle and improve loading uniformity.

The starter has four posts that align with four corresponding holes at the muzzle. It is currently only partially installed and is seized in place. No attempt has been made to force or remove it. The raised handle of the starter presently obstructs the front sight.

The sighting arrangement consists of a simple notched rear sight mounted on the top of the barrel and a globe front sight positioned within a long tubular housing. A hole through the stock and tang area, together with a thumbscrew tightening wheel beneath the rifle, indicates that a long range peep or tang sight was once fitted. That sight is now absent.

Two ramrod pipes are mounted along the left side of the barrel. The rear pipe near the breech is broken off, and no ramrod is present.

The underhammer percussion action remains mechanically functional. The hammer cocks and releases correctly, though no half cock position was observed. This is only a description of the present mechanical operation and is not a representation that the rifle is safe to fire.

The percussion nipple, or cone, remains present but shows substantial wear.

The stock appears to be walnut and has developed an attractive matured color. It displays notable curl and figure in the grain, particularly through the butt stock. Overall condition is very good, with wear consistent with age, handling, and use.

The bore remains in good condition for its age. The six groove rifling is clearly visible, though fouling and oxidation remain from past black powder use and long term storage.

Heavy target rifles of this general type were used by civilian marksmen before and during the Civil War era. Similar accurate sporting and target rifles were sometimes carried by Union sharpshooters, particularly before standardized military sharpshooter arms became widely available. No documentation accompanies this rifle connecting it to military service or a specific marksman, so any Civil War use remains unconfirmed.

With its massive 30 1/2" Billinghurst marked octagonal barrel, .39" six groove bore, approximately 17 pound weight, figured walnut stock, globe sight, surviving bullet starter, and distinctive underhammer action, this is an impressive example of a mid-19th century American precision rifle. The seized starter, obstructed front sight, missing peep sight and ramrod, broken rear ramrod pipe, worn nipple, bore fouling, and oxidation are fully disclosed. It would be especially well suited to a William Billinghurst, American target rifle, underhammer firearm, Civil War era arms, or 19th century competitive shooting collection.

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: circa 1860
Caliber: approx .39" six groove rifling
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 30 1/2 Inches
Overall Length: 46 3/4 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.