Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very attractive mid 19th century Pennsylvania percussion long rifle built in the general Lehigh Valley tradition and stocked in beautifully figured flame maple. Measuring approximately 53 7/8" overall, it combines a heavy 38 1/4" octagonal barrel, approximately .43 caliber seven groove rifled bore, engraved brass patchbox, set trigger, cheekpiece storage compartment, and a finely engraved commercial lock marked Henry Parker / Warranted. The rifle has the graceful architecture and highly figured maple stock associated with the Pennsylvania long rifle tradition, while its heavy barrel, set trigger, and fine sighting arrangement reflect the continued sporting and target use of this distinctly American form well into the percussion era.

This is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, it may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and does not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. This firearm is sold solely as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only its present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

The American long rifle developed in Pennsylvania during the 18th century from a blending of Central European rifled hunting arms with the longer and lighter firearms favored in the colonies. The resulting Pennsylvania rifle became famous for its long barrel, graceful full stock, relatively small caliber, and accuracy. As settlers and gunsmiths moved westward, the form spread through the Ohio Valley and Kentucky, eventually giving rise to the popular name “Kentucky Rifle,” although its origins were firmly rooted in Pennsylvania. By the mid 19th century, percussion ignition had largely replaced flint, but the traditional long rifle remained popular as a hunting, sporting, and target arm, often with heavier barrels, set triggers, elaborate patchboxes, and highly figured maple stocks.

This example measures approximately 53 7/8" overall and is fitted with a 38 1/4" heavy octagonal barrel. The bore measures approximately .43" and is cut with seven groove rifling. The bore is in very good condition, retaining a mostly bright interior with crisp lands and grooves. There is some evidence of old surface oxidation, but we do not see major fouling or substantial wear to the lands. The top of the barrel is marked B. H. S., with eight pointed star marks separating the letters. This may represent the barrel maker or gunsmith, but we have not been able to identify the initials with confidence.

The percussion lock is marked:

Henry Parker
Warranted

and is additionally decorated with crisp foliate engraving at the front and rear of the lock plate. Henry Parker marked locks are known on American percussion long rifles, and period gunmaker references identify him primarily as a maker or supplier of locks rather than necessarily the builder of the complete firearm. For that reason, the marking should be understood as identifying the trade lock rather than proving that Henry Parker made this entire rifle.

The rifle's overall architecture is strongly suggestive of eastern Pennsylvania workmanship and shows several features associated with the broader Lehigh Valley tradition, including the slender full stock, strongly curved butt profile, brass furniture, carved cheekpiece, and extensive curly maple figure. Because the rifle is unsigned apart from the commercial lock and the unidentified B. H. S. barrel marking, we would describe it as Lehigh Valley style rather than attribute it to a specific regional gunsmith or school with certainty.

The stock is made from highly figured flame or curly maple and displays pronounced striped figure and strong chatoyancy that changes noticeably with the viewing angle and light. A traditional carved cheekpiece is present on the left side of the butt. Beneath it is a small brass covered, spring loaded storage compartment containing a brass mounted clearing worm for the bore. The right side carries a large engraved brass patchbox with a spring loaded hinged cover. Inside the patchbox is a small patch together with what appears to be an older lock screw that was replaced at some point during the rifle's working life.

The furniture is brass throughout. The trigger guard has a pronounced pistol grip style rear extension, giving the hand additional purchase around the wrist, while the engraved patchbox provides the most prominent decorative metalwork on the stock. A simple wooden ramrod is present beneath the barrel, but it appears to be a later display or replacement rod rather than an original working ramrod. The clearing worm stored under the cheekpiece does not fit this replacement rod.

The rifle is fitted with a functioning set trigger. The lock can be released with or without first setting the rear trigger, but setting it reduces the front trigger pull substantially for a much lighter release. The lock presently does not have a functioning half cock position. This is an important mechanical condition issue and is fully disclosed.

The highly figured maple stock remains visually impressive but does show significant structural damage from its long service life. A repaired crack runs from the rear of the trigger mechanism upward through the lock screw area and lock inlet and appears likely to have involved a substantial, possibly complete, break in the past. There is additional cracking along the fore stock wood line on both sides, a common vulnerability where very thin stock wood surrounds a heavy octagonal barrel. Despite these repairs and cracks, the rifle retains excellent overall visual presence and the figure in the maple remains especially striking.

With its highly figured flame maple full stock, heavy .43 caliber seven groove rifled barrel, large engraved brass patchbox, unusual second storage compartment beneath the cheekpiece, functioning set trigger, engraved Henry Parker / Warranted trade lock, and appealing eastern Pennsylvania architecture, this is a particularly attractive surviving example of the percussion era American long rifle tradition. Its exact maker remains unknown, but the combination of strong visual character, unusual storage features, and substantial original detail would make it an excellent addition to a collection of Pennsylvania long rifles, Lehigh Valley style arms, American percussion sporting rifles, or traditional 19th century gunsmithing.

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: circa 1850
Caliber: approx .43" - seven groove rifling
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 38 1/4 Inches
Overall Length: 53 7/8 Inches
Action type: Back Action Percussion Lock
Feed System: Muzzle Loading
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

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. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers". 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.