Original Item: Only One Available. Just purchased at a recent military auction! This is a very nice "Pennsylvania" percussion hunting rifle, often referred to as a "Kentucky" rifle. The design developed in Pennsylvania, and then spread down the Ohio River Valley to Kentucky, where it was very popular. This is a nice well-used example, with a lovely "Flame" figured full stock and patinated all brass mounts. The rifle features a 45 3/4 inch long octagonal barrel with 6 groove rifling and a bore of .51", one of the larger sizes seen for Pennsylvania rifles. It does look to have been bored out or just worn out a lot, and we can no longer see any rifling on the interior. Overall length is 61 1/4" and the barrel is octagonal for about a third of the length closest to the breech, with the rest being round to keep the weight down.

As with many rifles produced during this period, it is fitted with a "trade lock", which were sold throughout Pennsylvania, usually marked with the name of the maker, or the store that sold them. This allowed the maker to save a lot of time when making the gun, and there were many makers who were not skilled lock makers. Many of these locks were imported from England as unmarked locks, which would then be marked by the retailer. This lock has some surface oxidation, so we cannot make out the name, but we can see that it says WARRANTED on the bottom, typical of a trade lock.

The rifle is in overall very good condition, with wear commensurate with age and service. It features a simple rear notch sight with a front brass blade sight, with no signs of the sights having been replaced. We checked the lock and it is functional, however it does not hold at half cock. Close examination shows that the lock was originally flintlock, with a frizzen, spring, and pan, but it was converted to take percussion caps by installing a new hammer. The barrel was fitted with a "barrel" style bolster on the right side. We checked the bore, and it definitely looks to have been smoothbored to use as a fowling piece. It has light rust overall, and definitely saw extensive use.

The stock is fitted with a lovely patch box on the right side, which is opened by pressing on the middle lower end of the butt plate. There is also a cheek piece on the left side, with an inlaid silver "hunter's star". The cleaning rod under the barrel does look to be a display replacement, however it is definitely quite old and was made long ago. The stock does show some cracking and missing chunks, with an exposed section underneath the ram rod channel. Overall presents very nicely.

A very nice Pennsylvania Percussion converted rifle in very nice condition. Ready to research and display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: c.1840
Caliber: approx .51"- worn bore.
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 45 3/4 Inches
Overall Length: 61 1/4 Inches
Action type: Side Action Percussion Lock
Feed System: Muzzle Loading

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, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. 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. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.