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 48 5/8" overall, it combines a heavy 32 3/4" octagonal barrel, approximately .44 caliber smooth bore, engraved brass patchbox, pistol grip style trigger guard, set trigger, silver wrist escutcheon, and a finely engraved commercial lock marked JA'S GOLCHER. The rifle has the graceful architecture and highly figured maple stock associated with the Pennsylvania long rifle tradition, while its heavy barrel and set trigger 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, 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. Many later examples were built with heavier barrels, set triggers, elaborate patchboxes, and carefully figured maple stocks, blending traditional Pennsylvania architecture with the requirements of deliberate sporting and match shooting.

This example measures approximately:

48 5/8" overall
32 3/4" octagonal barrel

The bore measures approximately .44".

The bore is presently smooth. Close inspection shows linear tooling or milling marks that appear consistent with the barrel having been bored or reamed smooth at some point during its service life. It is therefore quite possible that the barrel began as a rifle and was later opened up after the original rifling became worn, damaged, or badly corroded.

However, smooth rifles and smoothbore sporting arms built with rifle style stocks and sights were also produced historically. Without surviving rifling or other documentary evidence, we cannot say with certainty whether this barrel was originally rifled or smooth.

If it was later bored smooth, the rifle may subsequently have been used as a small game or general purpose smoothbore. That is a plausible period adaptation, but we would not identify it specifically as a fowling piece without provenance.

The percussion lock is marked:

JA'S GOLCHER
WARRANTED

James Golcher was active in the Philadelphia gun trade during the mid 19th century and is documented as both a gunsmith and supplier of gun locks. Golcher marked locks are encountered on a wide range of American percussion rifles made by other regional gunsmiths, so the lock marking should not be interpreted as proof that Golcher himself built the complete rifle.

The lock plate is additionally decorated with attractive foliate engraving around its perimeter, giving the rifle considerably more visual interest than a plain commercial lock.

The rifle's architecture is strongly suggestive of eastern Pennsylvania workmanship and shows several features associated with the broader Lehigh Valley long rifle tradition, including the slender full stock, strongly curved butt profile, brass furniture, and extensive maple figure. Because the rifle is unsigned apart from its commercial lock, however, we would describe it as Lehigh Valley style rather than assign it to a specific regional maker or school with certainty.

The rifle is stocked in highly figured flame or curly maple. The wood displays a strong striped figure and pronounced chatoyancy that changes noticeably with the viewing angle and light. It has a carved in cheek piece on the left side of the butt stock, a common feature of Pennsylvania rifles. A simple wooden ramrod with brass fitting is present beneath the barrel. It appears to be a later display or replacement rod rather than an original working ramrod and is included primarily for appearance.

The furniture is predominantly brass. The wrist carries a small oval silver escutcheon, which remains blank and bears no visible owner's initials or inscription. The brass trigger guard has a pronounced pistol grip style rear extension, giving the hand additional purchase around the wrist. The right side of the butt stock carries a large engraved brass patchbox with hinged lid. The cover is released by a small button positioned on the underside of the butt stock. The patchbox remains one of the most characteristic decorative and functional features of the traditional Pennsylvania rifle.

The rifle is equipped with a functioning set trigger. The rear trigger must first be pressed until it engages, after which very light pressure on the front trigger releases the lock. On this example the set trigger must be engaged before the lock will release at all. The lock does have a half cock position, but if the rear trigger is set while the hammer is at half cock, pressure on the front trigger can cause the lock to release. The set trigger therefore should not be engaged while the hammer is at half cock. This is an important mechanical condition issue and is disclosed exactly as observed. The mechanism has not been evaluated by a professional gunsmith.

The walnut colored, highly figured maple stock remains structurally sound through the wrist and presents extremely well overall, but it does show several old repairs and areas of damage from long use. There is cracking around the large brass side plate and lock area, although we do not see a major structural crack extending completely through the wrist.

A wood graft repair is present immediately forward of the lock plate. There is an additional repaired or replaced section of wood behind the percussion bolster. This location was particularly vulnerable to erosion and burning from percussion cap and black powder residue, making such repairs relatively common on long used percussion arms. The wrist itself remains solid and does not show evidence of a major break or repair.

With its highly figured flame maple full stock, heavy octagonal barrel, large engraved brass patchbox, functioning set trigger, silver wrist escutcheon, engraved JA'S GOLCHER 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, and the present smooth bore adds an intriguing layer to its working history, but the rifle has tremendous visual presence and would be 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 .44" smoothbore
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 32 3/4 Inches
Overall Length: 48 5/8 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.