Original Item: Only One Available. Just purchased at a recent military auction! This is a very nice heavy barreled "Pennsylvania" percussion hunting 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. This is a great example, with a beautiful full length "tiger" or "flame" figured maple stock, a very common wood to use on Pennsylvania rifles. It features all brass mountings, including a lovely spring loaded patch box on the right side of the stock, opened by a button on the butt stock spine. The rifle features a 34 ½ inch long octagonal barrel with a bore of about 0.47", which looks to have either had the rifling worn away, or was bored out to use as a fowling piece. Overall length is 49 ½ inches, and the barrel is very heavy for accurate shooting, much like "bench rest" rifles of the day.

As with many rifles produced during this period, it is fitted with a "trade lock", in this case marked R. ASHMORE / WARRANTED, a lock maker based in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Richard Ashmore originally started his Lock making business circa 1800, and later his son worked with him, which puts production of this lock around 1825-1830. They most likely did not manufacture the rest of the gun, and there is P. CONTER stamped on the top of the barrel, but we do not know if this is the maker of the barrel, or the owner. We have not been able to find any information, so we assume it is the owner or retailer.

The rifle is in overall very good condition, with wear commensurate with age and service. It features a simple rear notch sight with a front brass blade sight, with no signs that other sights were present in the past. The bore is relatively clean, showing some wear and oxidation since being smooth bored. The metalwork shows a lovely aged patina, and the lock is functional, though it does not have any half cock position, and does display a lot of slop in the mechanics. There is a wooden ramrod under the barrel, but it looks to be a display replacement.

The stock is lovely, with great chatoyancy on both sides, showing a bit less on the butt stock. There is a very nice cheek piece on the left side of the butt stock. As we often see due to how long and thin Pennsylvania rifles are, there is cracking on the fore stock, in this case on both sides over much of their length, which has been repaired. There is also some cracking and repairs around the lock plate, as well as a few by the brass nose cap.

A very nice Pennsylvania Percussion Hunting rifle with a lovely stock and some great research potential. Ready to display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: c.1830
Caliber: approx .47" smooth bore
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 34 ½ Inches
Overall Length: 49 ½ 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.