This antique halfstock rifle is a great example of the rifles made around Jamestown, North Carolina during the mid-19th century. This rifle has classic Jamestown features, such as the long rebate leading into the forend cap, the double-dovetailed front sight, and long upper tang secured with multiple screws. The Jamestown school was formed in Guilford County in the central part of North Carolina in the early 19th century and lasted past the Civil War. There were at least eighty known makers in the Jamestown-Greensboro area who often partnered and apprenticed with one another in making rifles.
This antique rifle has a wonderful patina, and the barrel and lock are both marked EVAN JOHNSON in block letters. Evan Johnson was born in 1823 and was a prolific rifle maker who operated out of his shop off Tarrant Road near Wendover Avenue. The rifle is stocked in maple and trimmed in brass furniture with engraved nickel silver inlays. The .32 caliber bore is dark and heavily pitted. A large piece of the forearm is missing directly in front of the lock. This rifle has a trigger reach of 13-3/8", and weighs 10.9 pounds.
The .32 caliber bore is rifled with seven narrow grooves and wide lands, and the straight 1" octagon barrel measures 38" long. The bore is dark and heavily pitted its entire length. A small nickel silver blade front sight with double dovetail brass bases is fitted 1-1/2" behind the muzzle. The semi buckhorn rear sight is dovetailed 4-3/4" ahead of the breech. The barrel exterior has developed a dark textured brown patina, with heavy pitting around the breech from corrosive cap spray. The top flat is stamped EVAN JOHNSON behind the rear sight. The long rounded tang of the breech plug is secured with five screws, a classic Jamestown school feature. The bottom oblique barrel flats and under rib are decorated with zig-zag or "chicken walk" engraving. We note the first 5" of the rib near the forend cap is loose because the rear rivet is broken off. Three brass ramrod pipes with octagon flats and ringed ends are also decorated with the same "chicken walk" engraving.
This halfstock rifle has a classic Jamestown school appearance with long buttstock comb and long rebated forearm. The brass entry pipe sits 6" behind the brass forend cap. The stock has a well used appearance with many handling marks. There is a 4" long section of the forearm missing directly in front of the lock. The buttstock is fitted with a brass buttplate with a deep curve. The right side of the buttstock is decorated with a nickel silver heart and arrowhead inlay. Both sides of the wrist are decorated with a lozenge shaped inlay. All of the nickel silver inlays on this rifle are decorated with "chicken walk" engraving. Both sides of the forearm are decorated with a lozenge inlay, and two nickel silver bands wrap around the bottom of the forearm. A short nickel silver toeplate with "chicken walk" engraving helped to protect this delicate area of the stock from damage. The brass trigger guard is secured with two steel screws and is decorated with "chicken walk" engraving. The 1/4" diameter ramrod is 1-1/4" short of the muzzle and is not fitted with any tips. The buttstock is shaped with an oval cheek piece decorated with a nickel silver diamond inlay. A heart shaped inlay is found to the rear of the cheek. The long brass sideplate is inlet flush with the wood and a single bolt passes through to engage the lock. The sideplate is secured with two small wood screws and is decorated with the same "chicken walk" engraving found on the rest of the rifle. A small crack runs from the top of the sideplate to the barrel channel.
The percussion lock is markedEVAN JOHNSON and has developed the same textured brown patina as the barrel. The breech end of the barrel 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 antique and is rusted into position. 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.
This antique halfstock Jamestown rifle has a wonderful antique appearance with quite a bit of folk art charm. It will look great hanging on the wall of your cabin or in your gun room. This rifle displays exceptionally well, and it is sure to be a conversation starter! 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.