This antique halfstock rifle was offered by the firm James Bown & Son - Enterprise Gunworks of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. The lock marking is no longer legible, but is likely Goucher based on the die stamped game scene marking. The barrel is stamped Enterprise Gunworks with the Kill Buck deer stamp. They were located at 136-138 Wood St., Pittsburgh, Pa. Established 1848 by Bown & Tetley. In 1862 James Bown be came sole proprietor; in 1871 his son William H. Bown was admitted to partnership and the firm became James Bown & Son, until at least 1879. Firm trade mark was "KILL" over a buck deer. This rifle bears a striking resemblance to rifles offered by Great Western Gunworks, also in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania during the same era.
This halfstock rifle has a classic late 19th century Eastern U.S. appearance with slender shaping, a deep crescent buttplate, and triggerguard with a fish lip grip rail. The rifle is stocked in maple trimmed in brass furniture including the forend cap. The straight octagon barrel is retained by a single pin. The barrel is fitted with a nickel silver blade front sight and semi-buckhorn rear sight. The front action lock is mated to single lever double set triggers. The triggers will only fire from the set position, and the lock has only a full cock position typical of late percussion locks. This antique rifle has a trigger reach of 13", which is very typical for antique rifles. This rifle weights 9.3 pounds.
The .32 caliber bore is rifled with six grooves and lands. The bore measures .320" land to land. The lands and grooves are clearly visible with some scattered dark spots in the grooves. You feel some tension with a cleaning patch but it does not tear the patch. The silver blade front sight with integral base is dovetailed 1-1/2" behind the muzzle. The semi buckhorn rear sight is dovetailed 10" ahead of the breech.
The maple stock has a golden brown tone. The stock has a well used appearance with some cracks and wood missing. A large section of wood is missing at the upper front of the lock panel. This area is often damaged from cap flash and the breech side shows it has been used extensively. Trimmed in brass furniture, the butt is fitted with a crescent buttplate. The brass triggerguard is shaped with a offset grip rail with a pronounced fish lip design. A simple escutcheon sideplate supports the single lock bolt. The stock is cracked from the breech to the lock bolt, from wood shrinkage. The buttstock is shaped with a cheek piece. The ramrod is has a very basic wood jag shaped at the end. The middle ramrod pipe is missing.
The percussion lock appears to be the work of J. Goucher based on the die stamped design. The lock plate has a heavily etched patina from corrosive percussion caps. The tumbler has only a single position, so this lock is either in the fired, or cocked position. The nipple is a well used modern replacement with a .275-28 thread. The lock plate is decorated with die embossed designs of a hunter shooting game birds. The single lever double set triggers will only fire from the set position. You may set the triggers before of after cocking the lock, but the triggers will only fire from the set position.
A interesting late 19th century hardware store halfstock rifle with a date on the barrel. The lock and triggers function correctly. th bore is fair. If you plan to shoot this rifle it is always wise to remotely test fire an antique with your maximum load to prove it safe to shoot. At well over 100 years old it should be appreciated as-is. Order it for a ten day visual inspection. You will be delighted. Else if it does not fit you, return it in unfired condition for same-day refund. Postage is your only risk, when you order any one-of-a-kind gun from Track, whether new, used, or antique.