{"product_id":"original-u-s-pennsylvania-percussion-hunting-rifle-by-great-western-gun-works-j-h-johnston-of-pittsburgh-with-set-trigger-circa-1870","title":"Original U.S. Pennsylvania Percussion Hunting Rifle by Great Western Gun Works, J.H Johnston of Pittsburgh with Set Trigger - Circa 1870","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is an original late 19th century American percussion hunting rifle associated with \u003cstrong\u003eGreat Western Gun Works\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eJ.H. Johnston of Pittsburgh\u003c\/strong\u003e, Pennsylvania, dating to approximately 1870. Built in the long standing Pennsylvania rifle tradition, it features a 37\" heavy octagonal barrel, approximately .39 caliber seven groove rifling, a set trigger, walnut half stock, brass furniture, round patch box, and a very good bright bore.\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 Pennsylvania rifle, commonly called the “Kentucky Rifle,” developed from the long rifle tradition of Pennsylvania gunsmiths before spreading westward through the Ohio Valley and American frontier. Known for their accuracy, graceful lines, and individual craftsmanship, these long rifles became essential tools for generations of hunters, settlers, and marksmen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe thin curved stock design was popular for close to 100 years in the region, and would even become known outside the country as \"The American Long Rifle\". By the later 19th century, rifles of this general form continued to be built as sporting and target arms, often with heavy barrels and set triggers intended to improve deliberate shooting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example has an American black walnut half stock with brass furniture and measures approximately 53 5\/8\" overall. The heavy octagonal barrel measures approximately 37\" and the bore measures about .39 caliber at the muzzle. The bore is cut with seven groove rifling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe top of the barrel is marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eGREAT WESTERN\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eGUN WORKS\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ewith:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003ePITTSBURGH, PA\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eto the right. Near the breech plug is an additional partial marking:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eJ. H. JOHN\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ewhile the lock plate is fully marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJ.H. JOHNSTON\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePITTSBURGH. PA\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese markings identify the rifle with J.H. Johnston and the Great Western Gun Works of Pittsburgh.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGreat Western Gun Works was founded in Pittsburgh in the 1860s by James Hampton Johnston and became a significant regional firearms business. Johnston had previously been associated with the Allegheny Arsenal before establishing the enterprise. The company sold and produced a wide variety of firearms and sporting goods through the late 19th century and into the early 20th century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rifle is fitted with a set trigger system. In its present condition, the rear trigger must first be set before the front trigger will release the lock. The mechanism functions in that configuration. There is also a position on the tumbler that feels like half cock, but it does not positively engage whether or not the set trigger is used. It is not clear whether this reflects the original mechanism or wear or damage, so the condition is disclosed without further interpretation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe barrel presently carries a recent steel blade front sight. No rear sight is installed, though screw fittings on the tang suggest that a separate or long range rear sight may once have been fitted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bore is in excellent condition overall, with the seven groove rifling clearly visible and a mostly bright interior. There are a few small areas of old fouling and oxidation that have since been cleaned and polished.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe breech is fitted with a plug incorporating a percussion bolster and cleanout. This assembly may be a later alteration, and its installation may account for the partial J. H. JOHN marking at the breech. The cleanout screw is presently frozen, while the percussion nipple remains in excellent condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe exterior metal has developed an attractive aged appearance. The lock shows a mature oxidized patina, while the barrel has faded to a plum brown tone from its original blue. The overall finish is consistent with long service and age.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe walnut stock has an attractive red brown color and shows evidence of an old professional repair around the lock area. The stock appears to have split substantially through the lock screw region and was subsequently repaired. The repair is well executed and the stock remains visually attractive, though the prior structural damage is fully disclosed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe brass furniture includes a hooked butt plate, a trigger guard with pistol grip style finial, a round patch box on the right side of the stock, and a brass fitting ahead of the percussion bolster to protect the surrounding wood. The fore end terminates in a white metal nose cap.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA ramrod remains beneath the barrel and appears likely original, though the attachments for its threaded end are missing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith its Great Western Gun Works and J.H. Johnston markings, 37\" heavy octagonal barrel, seven groove rifling, set trigger, bright bore, walnut half stock, brass patch box and furniture, and strong late Pennsylvania rifle profile, this is an attractive circa 1870 American percussion hunting rifle. The repaired stock, uncertain half cock function, recent front sight, missing rear sight, possibly altered breech assembly, frozen cleanout screw, cleaned bore oxidation, and incomplete ramrod fittings are all fully disclosed. It would fit especially well in a Great Western Gun Works, J.H. Johnston, Pennsylvania rifle, American percussion sporting rifle, or advanced 19th century firearms collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYear of Manufacture: c.1870\u003cbr\u003eMaker: Great Western Gun Works, J.H Johnston of Pittsburgh\u003cbr\u003eCaliber: approx .39\" seven groove rifling\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCartridge Type: Ball and Powder\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 37 Inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 53 5\/8 Inches\u003cbr\u003eAction type: Side Action Percussion Lock\u003cbr\u003eFeed System: Muzzle Loading\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFederal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique\u003c\/span\u003e\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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45722435911749,"sku":"ONAC23227","price":995.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/A81AF3A3-C06E-4098-B812-E1EFA22073D7.jpg?v=1790472253","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-pennsylvania-percussion-hunting-rifle-by-great-western-gun-works-j-h-johnston-of-pittsburgh-with-set-trigger-circa-1870","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}