{"product_id":"original-u-s-pennsylvania-over-under-double-barrel-39-caliber-percussion-rifle-by-daniel-weeks-of-erie-pa-with-flame-maple-stock-and-tang-aperture-sight-circa-1860","title":"Original U.S. Pennsylvania Over \u0026 Under Double Barrel .39 Caliber Percussion Rifle by Daniel Weeks of Erie, PA, with Flame Maple Stock and Tang Aperture Sight, Circa 1860","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is an especially attractive mid 19th century Pennsylvania over and under double barrel percussion rifle by \u003cstrong\u003eDaniel Weeks of Erie, Pennsylvania\u003c\/strong\u003e. It features two 29 1\/2\" round rifled barrels, each approximately \u003cstrong\u003e.39 caliber\u003c\/strong\u003e, 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 \u003cstrong\u003e46 1\/2\"\u003c\/strong\u003e overall, it is a distinctive example of the inventive sporting rifles produced by Pennsylvania gunsmiths during the percussion era.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe upper barrel is clearly maker marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eD. WEEKS    ERIE. PA\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDaniel 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 \u003cstrong\u003eD. WEEKS\u003c\/strong\u003e as a “Practical Gunsmith” at \u003cstrong\u003e139 State Street, Erie, PA\u003c\/strong\u003e, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth barrels measure approximately \u003cstrong\u003e29 1\/2\"\u003c\/strong\u003e and are about \u003cstrong\u003e.39 caliber\u003c\/strong\u003e. Close inspection shows \u003cstrong\u003esix groove rifling\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith its clearly marked \u003cstrong\u003eD. WEEKS \/ ERIE. PA\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYear of Manufacture: circa 1860\u003cbr\u003eMaker: Daniel Weeks\u003cbr\u003eCaliber (Both Barrels): approx .39\" - six groove rifling\u003cbr\u003eCartridge Type: Ball and Powder\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 29 1\/2 Inches\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 46 1\/2 Inches\u003cbr\u003eAction type: Back Action Percussion Lock\u003cbr\u003eFeed System: Muzzle Loading\u003cbr\u003eFederal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNOTE:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46212928634949,"sku":"ONJR26OCAS038","price":1395.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR26OCAS038__1A.jpg?v=1793416189","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-pennsylvania-over-under-double-barrel-39-caliber-percussion-rifle-by-daniel-weeks-of-erie-pa-with-flame-maple-stock-and-tang-aperture-sight-circa-1860","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}