Antique Southern Mountain Rifle,
.34 caliber, 38-1/2 barrel,
maple, brass & iron trim, percussion lock,
signed and dated 1853
The 38-1/2" barrel measures just over 7/8" octagon. When viewed from the muzzle the bore is very off-center, which is not uncommon on antique barrels. The .34 caliber bore has a coned muzzle and measures .36, but tapers down rapidly. The bore has dark grooves and has a rough textured feel with a cleaning patch. A flat top rear sight is dovetailed 7" ahead of the breech. A very low fine silver blade sight is mounted behind the muzzle. The breech end of the barrel is signed and dated but it is difficult to read, other than the 1853 date.
This antique Southern Mountain rifle is stocked in maple. The stock has some cracks and open grain areas on the buttstock. The wrist and forearm have been worn smooth from handling and use. The iron buttplate has a tapered heel in mid 19th century style. The breech plug tang extends down the wrist. The tang bolts and screws appear to be replacements with machine cut slots. The stock does have some cast-off for a right hand shooter. The bottom of the toe is protected with a long toeplate. The hand forged iron triggerguard is wide, mounted with screws at front and rear.
The stock shaping gets very square and blocky ahead of the lock panels. It has very flat sides and wide flats along the edges of the ramrod channel. No ramrod entry pipe is fitted. Two brass ramrod pipes are fitted. The ramrod is a modern replacement with a brass 8-32 threaded tip. No muzzle cap is fitted. The side panel is fitted with a brass lozenge style sideplate with pointed ends, similar to Ohio school longrifles. The sideplate has some light engraving with a R and C scribed into it.
This antique Southern Mountain rifle is fitted with a drum and nipple ignition. The drum is a antique style with a long square lug on the end. The lock plate has a very faint border, but otherwise has aged to a textured patina. The hammer has some play on the tumbler, which is fairly common. This is a hardware store lock with only a single position tumbler. This was to simplify the lock design for use with set triggers. This rifle is fitted with a single trigger.
This antique Southern Mountain rifle is a very representative example of a mid-19th century rifle with for "over the log" shooting. It would make a excellent display, or study piece 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.
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