This antique halfstock rifle, with highly figured maple stock, has a wonderful patina and will make a great wall hanger. The barrel and lock are both stamped J.G. Aulenbach, Lebanon. We believe this rifle dates to the 1870's time period, and is fitted with brass furniture that appears to have been offered commercially through E.K. Tryon's catalog. The .36 caliber bore is dark and heavily pitted. The wrist has been repaired and small areas of wood filler can be seen on the side panel. This rifle has a trigger reach of 12-3/8", which is typical of antique rifles, and weighs 7.9 pounds.
The .36 caliber bore is rifled with five grooves and lands, and the straight octagon barrel measures 35-1/2" long. The bore is dark and heavily pitted its entire length. A small brass blade front sight with brass base is dovetailed 1-1/2" behind the muzzle. The the low flat top rear sight is dovetailed 10" 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 J.G. Aulenback, Lebanon behind the rear sight. The long slender tang of the breech plug has one bolt that passes through to engage the trigger plate below. The rear screw in the tang is a modern replacement brass wood screw. The barrel is retained to the forearm with a single captured wedge key surrounded by nickel silver escutcheons.
This halfstock rifle has a classic late 19th century Eastern U.S. appearance with slender shaping, a deep crescent buttplate, and triggerguard with a finger spur and scroll grip rail. The rifle is stocked in maple trimmed in brass furniture including the forend cap. The maple stock has a golden brown tone with dark stripes of figure running its entire length. The stock has a well used appearance with many handling marks. The wrist was cracked all the way around this rifle. A repaired crack can be seen running from the front of the triggerguard back through the lock panels and up to the rear of the tang on both sides of the stock. The side panel has five small areas filled with wood epoxy. The right side of the wrist just above the tail of the lock plate has a screw that was used to repair the wrist, and we note the screw is covered with epoxy. The buttstock is fitted with a long brass cap box mounted with steel screws, and appears to be a casting offered commercially by E.K. Tryon, of Philadelphia. A long brass toeplate helped to protect this delicate area of the stock from damage. The 1/4" diameter ramrod pass through two pipes soldered to the barrel's under rib and a brass entry pipe. The ramrod is 1-1/4" short of the muzzle and is not fitted with any tips. The buttstock is does not have a cheek piece. The brass sideplate is inlet flush with the wood and a single bolt passes through to engage the lock.
The percussion lock is stamped J.G. Aulenbach, Lebanon and has developed the same textured brown patina as the barrel. The breech and snail have 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 hammer is loose on the tumbler and a brass washer is used under the small tumbler screw. The hammer nose is heavily rusted with the front part rusted through. 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 rifle has a wonderful patina and will look great hanging on the wall of your cabin or in your gun room. This gun with its highly figured stock 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.