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 brass mounts except for the white metal nose cap. The rifle features a 33 inch long octagonal barrel with 7 groove rifling and a bore of .43", 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 PARTRIDGE / WARRANTED. This is a known marking on many trade locks, though it is not clear whether this is the maker. We believe it is more likely the name of the importer, who would purchase unmarked locks in bulk from England, and then mark and possibly engrave them when they arrived in the united states.

The top facet of the barrel has a brass plaque that is signed what appears to be J. H. Fordney. There were many gunsmiths in the Fordney family, who operated out of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. This may have been made by Jacob and Henry, two members of the family, who also made guns independently. There were also other members, including the famous Melchoir Fordney, who for a time had Henry E. Lehman as an apprentice. Melchoir however is unfortunately more well-known for his gruesome axe murder in 1846. The family itself is of French Huguenot descent near the border with Switzerlane, with the name evolving from Fortenieux to Fortenee, and then finally to Fordney. Definitely some nice research potential here.

As with most target and sharpshooter 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 rear trigger must be "set" before the lock will fire at all. 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. It is also fitted with a lovely brass patch box on the right side of the stock. The bore is in 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 Sporting rifle with some great research potential. Ready to display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: c.1840
Caliber: approx .43" seven groove rifling
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 33 Inches
Overall Length: 49 Inches
Action type: Back Action Percussion Lock
Feed System: Muzzle Loading

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