Original Item: Only One Available. Just purchased at a recent military auction! This is a very nice heavy barreled "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 great example, with a lovely walnut half stock and all "German Silver" mounts except for the white metal nose cap. The rifle features a 33 3/4 inch long octagonal barrel with 6 groove rifling and a bore of .39-40", one of the usual sizes seen for Pennsylvania rifles. Overall length is 49" and the barrel is very heavy for accurate shooting, much like "bench rest" rifles of the day.

As with many rifles produced during this period, it is fitted with a "trade lock", in this case marked R. ASHMORE & SON, a lock maker based in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Richard Ashmore originally started his Lock making business circa 1800, and later his son worked with him, which puts production of this lock around 1835-1840. They most likely did not manufacture the rest of the gun, however we cannot find any markings on the barrel, where the maker would usually be listed. This is not uncommon at all, and we have had many examples where there are no markings on either the lock or the barrel.

As with most hunting rifles, this example is fitted with a "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 lock can be fired without "setting" the rear trigger, but it takes a long trigger with a bit of effort. There is no half cock position due to this.

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 blade sight, though there are signs that originally some different sights were present. The bore is in very good condition, showing strong rifling, but also some fouling and oxidation, so it definitely has seen some level of use. There is a wooden ramrod under the barrel, but it looks to be a display replacement.

A very nice Pennsylvania Percussion Hunting rifle with some great research potential. Ready to display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: c.1835
Caliber: approx .43" seven groove rifling
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 33 3/4 Inches
Overall Length: 49 Inches
Action type: Back 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.