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EARLY 19TH
CENTURY HEAVY BARREL PLAINS RIFLE – .69 CALIBER -
FRONTIER GUNSMITH PERCUSSION CONVERSION – VERY
ATTRACTIVE BRASS MOUNTED CURLY MAPLE STOCK:
A classic example of the early-19TH Century
heavy barreled guns that were carried onto the Western
Frontier by the fur trappers and explorers, this Plains
Rifle at once presents both a beautiful appearance with
the brightly tiger-striped maple stock, and a strong
sense of power from the heavy barrel and large caliber.
While still retaining some of the earlier features of
the rifles that were made in the Pennsylvania schools of
rifle making which were built for the forests and
mountains east of the Mississippi River, this rifle
shows the heavier barrel and stock that began to emerge
as these rifles were carried out on the western plains
and into the far reaches of the Rocky Mountains.
When collectors think of
the famous mountain men, they associate those early fur
trappers with the iron mounted half stock plains rifles
such as those made famous by the Hawken brothers and
other well known St. Louis makers. In reality, the
first men to follow in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark,
and those who accompanied the storied expeditions of the
American Fur Company carried full stocked, heavy
barreled rifles such as this one which still reflected
the features of the earlier schools of gun making.
The presence of the drum
and cone suggest a conversion from an original flintlock
configuration, not surprising as the rifle continued in
use long after the percussion ignition system surpassed
the flintlock. Given the proportions of this rifle, it
likely started out with a large bore, but it is also
probable that the barrel was freshed out as the years of
use took their toll on the rifling – perhaps several
times to reach the impressive .69 caliber bore it
features now. All of this work could have been
accomplished by a gunsmith located on the edge of the
frontier or at any of the many trading posts throughout
the West.
Weighing over 14 pounds,
this massive rifle is mounted with a 31 ½” octagon
barrel that measures a full 1 5/16” from flat to flat.
The barrel, with its early hand rifled bore is held in
place with two iron pins through the fore stock. The
exterior flats of the barrel have a smooth, even rich
brown patina with no pitting. The long tapered barrel
tang is attached with three screws, a testament to the
weight of the barrel. The bore is excellent, apparently
well maintained by the original owner, with strong,
definitive rifling throughout, and only the most minor
evidence of light pitting. Both the front and rear
sights are present, the front sight made of silver and
the rear sight an early adjustable low buck horn mounted
in a hand cut dove tail mortise.
The lock appears to be
original to the conversion of the rifle from flint to
percussion. The lock is robust in design and
proportional to the balance of the rifle. The lock
plate retains a lightly legible “PHILIDELPHIA” stamp in
front of the hammer, probably what remains of the lock
maker’s name. The drum and cone appear to be original
to the conversion of the barrel, the work was well done,
and the cone retains its shape, not having been abused
with repeated dry firing. The double set triggers
function properly and they engage the lock sear, however
the hammer wants to slip off half and full cock before
the trigger is pulled. Having looked at the lock
internals, if the new owner desires, some simple work
with a file on the sear notch would correct this.
The maple stock, as
mentioned above, has an above average, very attractive
tiger stripe grain which has naturally aged through the
years to a rich color and distinct pattern. The
proportions of the stock are commensurate with the
weight of the barrel – a thicker than normal buttstock,
a heavy rounded-profile wrist, and an equally heavy
forestock to support the barrel. In spite of these
larger dimensions, the stock still retains the grace and
style of the early 19TH Century Pennsylvania
schools of rifle makers. That this gun maker knew what
he was doing when he shaped the stock is borne out as
there are no cracks or breaks in the wrist or around the
lock mortise where they are typically found on these
heavy rifles. The only crack of any substance is
located on the left side of the stock between the head
of the lock screw and the edge of the barrel channel –
small, stabilized, and not showing any signs of
weakness. The wood surface, worn smooth and with an
excellent patina, is not marred beyond what one would
expect to see in a frontier used rifle. The toe of the
stock is intact – often found chipped away and the
barrel channel edges are smooth and intact with no
splitting. The furniture - butt plate, toe plate, side
plate, trigger guard, thimbles and nose cap – is all
brass and retains a very pleasant mellow patina.
Handling this Plains Rifle
evokes all of the color and the mystique of the early
American West when mounting a defense against hostile
men and grizzlies, or anchoring a buffalo required a
bore of this size. If you have ever been attracted to
tales of the likes of early mountain men such as
Bridger, Johnson, Smith, Carson or the legions of
unknown explorers and trappers, hefting this rifle will
transport you back to those long ago shining times in
the mountains. (0223) $3250
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