Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original circa 1850 Pennsylvania made over and under double barrel percussion rifle by W. Filman, featuring an unusual swivel or turnover breech arrangement that allows a single lock to serve both barrels. Both 35 1/2" octagonal barrels are approximately .44 caliber with seven groove rifling, and the rifle measures approximately 51 1/2" overall. It is further equipped with a set trigger, Truitt Bros. & Co. trade lock, finely figured maple stock, brass furniture, and a functional barrel rotating mechanism.

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 distinctive over and under swivel breech form, with no conventional fore stock surrounding the barrels. Instead, it has a finely figured maple buttstock with pronounced tiger or flame figure and strong chatoyancy in the light. A carved cheekpiece is present on the left side, decorated with an inlaid crescent or “Hunter’s Moon,” while a heart shaped inlay appears at the rear of the wrist. The opposite side carries a brass patch box with a long narrow lid released by a small button located inside the butt plate.

The heavily hooked brass butt plate, trigger guard, ramrod pipes, and barrel ribs are all consistent with the decorative Pennsylvania rifle tradition. The ramrod pipes are mounted along the left side of the barrel assembly and retain a long wooden ramrod. A lever positioned forward of the trigger guard unlocks the breech so that the two barrels can rotate into position, and this mechanism presently operates smoothly.

The upper barrel is clearly maker marked:

W. FILMAN

There is the following listing in American Gunsmith by Frank Sellers

FILMAN, WILLIAM A., Milton, Pennsylvania, 1820-1861d. Flintlock and percussion rifles. (Kauffman).

Additional research shows that Filman used both "W. FILMAN" and "W.A. FILMAN" on his guns, and he is often associated with the Pennsylvania (or "Kentucky") Rifle tradition, sometimes referred to as the "American Longrifle.

The percussion lock is a period trade lock marked:

TRUITT BROS
& CO

Truitt Brothers & Company operated in Philadelphia as hardware importers and wholesale dealers during the mid 19th century. The lock may have been supplied through that firm for use by Filman or a later gunsmith, though its precise manufacturing origin is not established by the marking alone. The lock plate and hammer also retain engraved decoration.

As with most Pennsylvania rifles, this example is fitted with a double "set trigger", where depressing the rear trigger first until it clicks and just touching the front trigger discharges the weapon, hopefully with great accuracy. It is fully functional at present, and the hammer will not really hold at either half or full cock until the rear trigger is "set", after which a very light touch of the front trigger discharges the lock. It should be noted that once the trigger is set, the lock will fire at both full and half cock, which is definitely a functional deficiency.

Both approximately .44 caliber bores remain in very good present condition with clearly visible seven groove rifling and partly bright surfaces. There is light wear to the lands from use along with old powder fouling and oxidation remaining in portions of the grooves. Each barrel is fitted with a nickel silver front sight mounted on a brass base and a simple notch rear sight.

The metalwork shows an attractive lightly oxidized aged patina with evidence of older surface oxidation that has been cleaned or stabilized. The figured maple stock remains especially appealing, with strong flame figure throughout and no major repairs observed. There is, however, some splitting following the grain along the lower toe of the buttstock.

With its W. Filman maker marking, unusual over and under swivel breech configuration, two seven groove .44 caliber barrels, figured maple stock, set trigger, Truitt Bros. trade lock, brass patch box, and functional barrel rotating mechanism, this is a distinctive example of mid 19th century Pennsylvania gunmaking. The unsafe half cock condition, dependence on the set trigger for proper engagement, bore fouling, old cleaned oxidation, and stock toe splitting are all fully disclosed. It would fit especially well in a Pennsylvania longrifle, swivel breech firearm, W. Filman, percussion sporting rifle, or advanced 19th century American firearms collection.

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: circa 1850
Maker: William A. Filman
Caliber (Both Barrels): approx .44" - seven groove rifling
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 35 1/2 Inches
Overall Length: 51 1/2 Inches
Action type: Back Action Percussion Lock
Feed System: Muzzle Loading Swivel Breech
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.