Original Item: Only One Available. This is a handsome and substantial late 19th century Pennsylvania percussion hunting rifle by James Bown & Son of Pittsburgh's Enterprise Gun Works, a well known maker and sporting goods concern whose rifles carried the distinctive "Kill Deer" stag trademark. Built in the long established Pennsylvania rifle tradition, this example combines a heavy 36 1/2" octagonal barrel, approximately .41 caliber six groove rifling, a double set trigger arrangement, walnut half stock, and attractive brass furniture. Measuring an impressive 56 1/2" overall, it has the wonderfully purposeful appearance of a serious American hunting and target rifle from the closing decades of 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 Pennsylvania rifle, commonly called the "Kentucky Rifle," developed from the long rifle tradition established by Pennsylvania gunsmiths and spread westward with American settlement through the Ohio Valley and beyond. Long barrels, relatively slender stocks, rifled bores, and carefully tuned locks made these rifles valued for deliberate shooting and hunting. By the later 19th century, sporting rifles descended from this tradition were still being produced, often with heavier barrels and set triggers intended to provide the precise trigger release favored by experienced marksmen.

This rifle has an American black walnut half stock and measures approximately 56 1/2" overall. Its heavy octagonal barrel measures approximately 36 1/2". The bore measures about .41 caliber at the muzzle and is cut with six groove rifling.

The lock is marked:

JAMES BOWN
136 WOOD ST
PITTSHURGH

The top flat of the barrel is marked:

JAMES BOWN & SON
PITTSBURGH, PA

To the right is the Enterprise Gun Works marking surrounding the firm's distinctive left facing stag:

ENTERPRISE GUN WORKS

The stag formed part of the company's well known "Kill Deer" trademark, an especially desirable identifying feature on surviving Bown rifles.

The Enterprise Gun Works was established in Pittsburgh in 1848 by James Bown and a partner named Tetley. Bown became sole proprietor in 1862, and in 1871 his son William H. Bown entered the firm, after which the business operated as James Bown & Son. By the late 1870s the concern occupied 136 and 138 Wood Street and advertised itself as a manufacturer of guns, rifles, rifle barrels, shotguns, and sporting goods, with a trade extending across much of the United States.

The combination of the JAMES BOWN & SON barrel marking and the Enterprise Gun Works identity is particularly useful in dating this rifle. Since the James Bown & Son partnership began in 1871, this example is most consistent with manufacture during the 1870s.

The "Kill Deer" name also has a distinctly American literary association. "Killdeer" was the name given to the rifle carried by James Fenimore Cooper's frontier character Natty Bumppo in the Leatherstocking Tales, making the trademark especially appropriate for an American hunting rifle built in the Pennsylvania long rifle tradition.

The rifle is fitted with a double set trigger arrangement. The rear trigger is pushed or pulled into its set position, after which the front trigger releases the lock with a very light pull. On this particular rifle, the front trigger will not release the hammer unless the rear trigger has first been set. The trigger mechanism is functional in this configuration during present inspection. There is no half cock position, or any evidence that it ever had one, as it would serve no purpose.

The barrel presently carries a recent copper blade front sight together with an original fixed notch rear sight. The replacement front sight is readily distinguishable from the remainder of the rifle and is disclosed as a more recent addition.

The bore remains in very good condition overall. All six grooves are clearly visible, and much of the interior remains bright. There are areas of old fouling and oxidation that have been cleaned and polished in the past. The edges of the lands also show noticeable wear, consistent with substantial historical use.

The breech is fitted with a plug incorporating a percussion bolster and cleanout. The cleanout screw is presently frozen in place and its slot is damaged. The percussion nipple shows evidence of past fouling and oxidation that has since been cleaned away.

The exterior metalwork has developed an especially attractive aged appearance. The lock displays a mature oxidized patina, while the barrel's original blue has aged toward a rich plum brown tone. There is also some old pitting visible on the right facet of the barrel. Taken together, the surfaces have the honest appearance of a rifle that saw considerable use and survived without being stripped of its character.

The walnut half stock has a pleasing red brown color and attractive grain, and has a carved in cheek piece on the left side of the butt stock. An old repair is visible immediately behind the lock. The repaired section is retained by three small iron nails together with a brass pin farther to the rear. We do not see any other significant cracks, repairs, or structural damage, only the normal dents, scratches, and handling wear expected from age and use.

The brass furniture adds considerable visual appeal and includes a hooked butt plate, trigger guard with pistol grip style finial, brass ramrod pipe, and nose cap. The brass has developed an attractive mellow aged appearance that complements the dark walnut and plum brown metalwork.

A ramrod remains beneath the barrel, although it appears to be a simple replacement wooden dowel intended primarily for display rather than an original period ramrod.

With its clearly marked JAMES BOWN & SON barrel, Enterprise Gun Works "Kill Deer" stag trademark, heavy 36 1/2" octagonal barrel, approximately .41 caliber six groove rifling, functional double set trigger arrangement, handsome walnut half stock, brass furniture, and strong period character, this is an especially appealing example of a late percussion era Pennsylvania sporting rifle. The association with one of Pittsburgh's important 19th century firearms businesses gives it considerably more historical and collector interest than an anonymous hunting rifle, making it an excellent addition to a Pennsylvania long rifle collection, an American sporting arms display, or a grouping devoted to the regional gunmakers and hunting traditions of the post Civil War period.

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: c.1870s
Maker: James Bown & Son Enterprise Gun Works of Pittsburgh
Caliber: approx .41" six groove rifling
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 36 1/2 Inches
Overall Length: 52 1/2 Inches
Action type: Side 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, 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.