This is a rather large example of what we believe to be a Southern Percussion rifle Circa 1850.  We found this one near Greensboro, NC and from the looks of it, whoever owned it must have been a giant of a man for the mid-19th century.  Its nearly 60 inches long and weighs every bit of 13 lbs.  Its in .50 caliber with a massive 42" octagon barrel, 1" barrel diameter, halfstock with patchbox, double set triggers, brass furniture, and a rather nice pewter forend cap.  Typical of most Southern rifles, its unmarked and has a long iron tang off of the breech plug that extends down the top of the stock.  The purpose or intent of this feature was to strengthen the often graceful but delicate wrist areas found on these rifles.  Somewhat atypical of Southern rifles is the wood...its made of walnut rather than the more traditional maple....I doubt maple would have fared too well with such a heavy barrel.  It also has a round brass patchbox with some light scroll engraving which is less common on plain rifles made in the South.  Whoever built this rifle had a rather unique concept of construction using long angular lines (especially in the front sight and cheekpiece areas) and an affinity for ending components with sharp points...i.e. forend cap, triggerguard, buttplate, and stock bolt escutcheon.

Also, someone long ago placed a leather washer under the lock retaining screw (this is on the left side or side opposite of the lock, see photo)...its been there foreever with the original brass escuteon inlay underneath...I was tempted to remove this because it seem to serve no purpose, however upon closer inspection, I believe this washer been used for securing some type of device, perhaps a sling was attached here with the opposite end cinched to the barrel.  At any rate, we're leaving it in place but just so you know, the original brass inlay for the lock bolt is still intact underneath.

Overall, its in NRA Antique Good Condition and looks almost completely untouched with lots of deep dark patina on the brass furniture and iron....the brass is so dark in places, you barely know what it is....I love to find them this way with all of its history still right there on the surface!  The only thing its missing is its hickory ramrod which should be easy to replace...I'm sure Dixie Gunworks would have them. The wood is in good shape and has never been sanded or redone with a beautiful glow.  There are a few small repairs including a small chip repair at the bottom toe near the buttplate....overall its quite good for being 150+ years old.  Right side of the stock has a sleek looking cheek piece that slants up the side of the stock slowly tapering until it blends seamlessly into the wrist.  Forend gradually flares out towards the front.   The octagon barrel has a dark patina with the original lower rib intact with 2 iron thimbles. There are 7 small dots punched around the muzzle face.  Front sight is intact with a really cool looking 1 1/2" blade made of German silver...very sleek....its covered with dirt and patina but underneath the muck, is a fantastic front sight!  The rear sight is a small buckhorn style sight still in its original dovetail.  The set triggers still work although I'm sure they could use a good cleaning.  The pewter forend cap is intact...being made of soft metal, it has a few more nicks and scratches but has a really nice widow's peak design in the bottom of the forewood.  A nice Soutern rifle that would really look great hanging up over the Mantle!

Item# 0301

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