Original Item: Only One Available. Just purchased at a recent military auction! This is a wonderful heavy barreled "Pennsylvania" percussion hunting long 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. The thin curved stock design was popular for close to 100 years in the region.

This is a great example, with a lovely "Tiger" flamed maple full length stock, which has a beautiful finish and features all brass mountings, including a lovely patch box on the right butt stock.. The rifle features a 41 inch long octagonal barrel with a bore of about 0.45", very common for these rifles, cut with seven groove rifling. Overall length is 57 1/2 inches, and the barrel is heavy for accurate shooting, much like "bench rest" rifles of the day.

The top of the barrel is stamped with HENRY, which we assume is either the maker of the barrel, or the person who assembled the rifle. Like many Pennsylvania rifles we see, the lock is a "trade" lock, purchased from an external supplier, and is signed:

P. S. J. & Co
WARRANTED

The P.S. Justice company, which until 1861 had been known as Justice & Steinmann, was a Philadelphia sporting goods and hardware retailer. They emerged during the U.S. Civil War as a contractor for guns, and managed to secure some contracts in the early days of the War. They proceeded to acquire parts and complete guns to resell to the Federal government. It is interesting to note that the Justice firm was listed as a manufacturer of “railroad car springs” in the 1860 Philadelphia Directory, and while census data from 1860 suggests that they manufactured 2,500 guns between June 1, 1859 and June 1, 1860, author & researcher George Moller notes that the company was not considered a “manufacturer” by the US Secretary of the Interior, but only as an “assembler”.

We do not know whether the lock was manufactured domestically, or internationally, as P.S. Justice acquired parts from many sources. The lock does have some lovely foliate engraving on the hammer and lock plate, as well as a hound chasing game fowl in flight on the tail of the lock.

The stock features a lovely hook butt plate, and has a carved in German style cheek piece on the left side, which bears a lovely brass eight pointed "Hunter's Star" on it. The trigger guard is very nice, and is with most we see, has a "pistol grip" style finial for a better grip. The rifle is not fitted with a set trigger, and the lock does function, however there is no provision for a half cock. We do not know if this is intentional, or whether it requires adjustment.

Overall condition is very good, with a lovely look and no major issues. The stock shows no cracks or other damage, and has a lovely finish. We checked the bore, and it is in very good condition, showing crisp lands and grooves with a bright finish. There are some small areas of past oxidation and fouling, now cleaned away. There is just a bit of powder burn near the cap nipple cone, now cleaned away.

A beautiful example of an iconic early American gun design, with a beautiful stock and some great research potential. Ready to display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: c.1860
Caliber: approx .39" seven groove rifling
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 41 Inches
Overall Length: 57 1/2 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.