Original Item: Only One Available. Just purchased at a recent military auction! Here is an octagonal barreled very nice "Pennsylvania" style rifle, often referred to as a "Kentucky" Rifle. The design developed in Pennsylvania, and then spread down the Ohio River Valley to Kentucky, where it was very popular. It has a heavy .39" caliber octagonal barrel with 6 groove rifling, one of the standard calibers we usually see these in. it is signed on top of the barrel with:

H. B. HOWE

We have seen a mule ear rifle and some other items by this maker, but unfortunately there is no definitive information. The style and appointments are very typical of the rifles made in the Western Pennsylvania/Eastern Ohio River areas, and the rifle features a very nice British back action trade lock, which is marked with the makers information:

JOSEPH GOLCHER was an English gunsmith based on KING STREET, DARLASTON in STAFFORDSHIRE, ENGLAND, who worked from 1830 to 1865. We have had several examples of "Pennsylvania rifles" bearing his fine locks. The lock plate also has some lovely floral line engraving, as well a "hunting scene" on the tail, showing game fowl in flight.

We estimate that this octagonal barrel rifle was made about 1840, and features mostly brass mounts and some nickel silver ornamentation on the left side. The half length stock in good condition, and looks to be made of walnut. It does show some cracking and repairs near the securing wedge, particularly on the right side, where there is a grafted in piece of wood. There is also a repair near the cap bolster, probably due to powder burn. The butt stock has a nice has a patch box on the right side with a brass hinged cover.

As with most Pennsylvania 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 functional at present, and the rear trigger must be "set" before the lock will fire at all. However it is slightly out of adjustment, as the trigger takes some effort to pull. It also has issues with the half cock position. The bore is in good condition, with with clear rifling and a dull finish, showing wear to the lands from use.. There is a simple brass fit wooden cleaning rod installed, which is just for display.

A very nice example of a mid 19th Century "Pennsylvania" rifle, ready to add to your collection!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: c.1840
Caliber: approx .39" six groove rifling
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 33 1/2 Inches
Overall Length: 49 1/2 Inches
Action type: Back Action Percussion Lock
Feed System: Muzzle Loading

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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.

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