Original Item: Only One Available. Just purchased at a recent military auction! This is a lovely swivel breech double 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 very good and interesting example example, with a lovely figured "Tiger Flame" maple rear stock and all brass mountings except for the beautiful engraved "Federal Eagle" on the right side of of the butt stock. This is made from "German Silver", very popular with these rifles.

The rifle features a 36 inch long swivel breech double octagonal barrel assembly, and each features 8 groove rifling with a bore of .40-.41", one of the usual sizes seen for Pennsylvania rifles. There is a small "trigger" which permits the barrel assembly to "swivel" or turn over, so that the shooter would have two loaded barrels ready to go, definitely an advantage when hunting for dinner. There is a sturdy rib between the two barrels, and one side of the barrel assembly has ramrod pipes and a block in the front for holding a ramrod. There is one fitted, but it looks to be a wooden replacement. Overall length is 51 3/4" and the rifle is quite 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", which does not bear any markings, but does have some engraving around the edge, as well as an engraved game bird (probably a pheasant) in the center. This was very common, as locks were readily available on the market, many from overseas, so many makers found it more economical to purchase high quality locks.

The tops of both barrels are marked J.S. JOHNSTON, who al.so signed guns as "J.S. Johnson". This is a known maker of Pennsylvania percussion rifles, and we have seen other swivel breech rifles by this maker. They are listed as working in "McConnelsville, Huntington Co., Pa", which we believe is actually McConnellstown in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. This maker is also listed as having had gunmaker David B. Buckwalter (born 1850) as an apprentice.

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 on this type, the hammer cannot even be cocked until the rear trigger is "set". Once this is done, then the lock has a half and full cock position, but will only fire on full cock.

The rifle is in overall very good condition, with wear commensurate with age and service. It features a simple rear notch sights with a front blade sights, on both barrels. The bores are in very good condition, still showing strong rifling, however they do definitely show some rounding of the lands. There is also fouling and oxidation in the grooves, as expected for a rifle of this age.

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

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: c.1855
Caliber: approx .43" seven groove rifling
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 36 Inches
Overall Length: 51 3/4 Inches
Action type: Back Action Percussion Lock
Feed System: Muzzle Loading with Swivel Breech

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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.

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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.