Original Item: Only One Available. This is an especially attractive mid 19th century Pennsylvania over and under double barrel percussion rifle by Daniel Weeks of Erie, Pennsylvania. It features two 29 1/2" round rifled barrels, each approximately .39 caliber, a pair of back action percussion locks actuated by a single nickel silver trigger, a finely figured flame maple stock, iron furniture, dual ramrods, and a tang mounted aperture sight. Measuring approximately 46 1/2" overall, it is a distinctive example of the inventive sporting rifles produced by Pennsylvania gunsmiths during 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 rifle follows the classic Pennsylvania over and under sporting form, with the two barrels permanently arranged one above the other rather than using a rotating breech. There is no conventional fore stock enclosing the barrel assembly. Instead, the rifle uses a beautifully figured maple butt stock with pronounced tiger or flame figure and strong chatoyancy. A carved cheekpiece is present on the left side, while the opposite face carries a circular iron patchbox. The stock remains especially attractive overall, with a warm aged color, strong figure throughout, and no major repairs observed.

The furniture is iron throughout, including the heavily hooked butt plate, trigger guard, barrel ribs, and ramrod fittings. The hooked butt plate and target oriented stock architecture give the rifle the appearance of a deliberate sporting or target arm rather than a simple hunting gun. Ramrod pipes are mounted along both sides of the barrel assembly, and each side presently carries a metal tipped wooden ramrod.

The upper barrel is clearly maker marked:

D. WEEKS    ERIE. PA

Daniel Weeks is a documented Erie gunsmith. The Hagen History Center specifically identifies him as one of Erie's pre Civil War firearm makers and notes that he worked on State Street. An Erie County business directory for 1873-1874 lists D. WEEKS as a “Practical Gunsmith” at 139 State Street, Erie, PA, dealing in rifles, breech and muzzle loading shotguns, and gun materials. His association with Erie firearm manufacture is therefore well established, and surviving auction records also document over and under rifles bearing the D. Weeks name.

Both barrels measure approximately 29 1/2" and are about .39 caliber. Close inspection shows six groove rifling in each bore, with unusually broad lands and comparatively narrow grooves that give the rifling an almost polygonal appearance. Both bores remain in very good condition, with clearly visible rifling and partly bright surfaces, together with only light evidence of old fouling and oxidation.

The sighting arrangement is especially interesting. The upper barrel carries a silver blade front sight and a fixed notch rear sight, while the rear tang is additionally fitted with a threaded adjustable aperture or “spoon” style sight. This combination would have provided a much finer sight picture for deliberate target shooting than the simple barrel sights alone.

The rifle is fitted with two back action percussion locks, both operated by a single nickel silver trigger. Neither lock has a conventional half cock position, and both can release together when the trigger is pulled. A small screw behind the lock area may relate to trigger adjustment or a set trigger arrangement, but we have not confirmed its exact function and therefore leave it unidentified.

The exterior metalwork has developed an attractive lightly oxidized gray and brown patina, with evidence of older surface oxidation that has been cleaned or stabilized in the past. The condition remains very presentable overall and complements the highly figured maple stock nicely.

With its clearly marked D. WEEKS / ERIE. PA barrel, twin .39 caliber rifled barrels, dual back action locks, single trigger, flame maple stock, circular patchbox, hooked iron butt plate, dual ramrods, and tang mounted aperture sight, this is an unusual and visually impressive example of northwestern Pennsylvania sporting gunmaking. It would be an excellent addition to a collection of Pennsylvania rifles, Erie firearms, American double rifles, percussion sporting arms, or inventive mid 19th century gunsmithing.

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: circa 1860
Maker: Daniel Weeks
Caliber (Both Barrels): approx .39" - six groove rifling
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 29 1/2 Inches
Overall Length: 46 1/2 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.