3480

HEAVY BARREL PERCUSSION TARGET RIFLE BY G.W.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:500.00 USD Estimated At:1,000.00 - 2,000.00 USD
HEAVY BARREL PERCUSSION TARGET RIFLE BY G.W.

HARDER OF WILLIAMSPORT, PA. Cal. .355 (6 groove rifling). NSN. The 33" full octagon bbl. measures 2.7" across flats at muzzle and is fitted with sm. V notch rear sight & Marbles white bead front. Top flat is stamped "G.W. HARDER" "WILLIAMSPORT. PA." (George Washington, working 1855-1890). Patent breech is inlaid w/ 2 German silver bands. Plain breech iron is drilled & tapped for tang sight. Backspring percussion lock is marked "G. GOULCHER" in engraved scrolled band within sm. scroll borders. There is some game scene engraving behind flat faced hammer. Triggers are dbl. set. Red stained & varnished full stock of bird's eye maple is German silver mounted. Furniture includes trigger guard w/ finger spur & curl forming grip, heavy crescent buttplate w/ 4" return, single tear shaped sideplate & muzzle cap. A hickory ramrod is held by 2 beaded pipes & matching thimble. Bbl. attaches to stock w/ 3 side bolts through oval German silver escutcheons. Stock also features a classically shaped & molded right hand cheekpiece. CONDITION: fine to very fine. Bbl. retaining most of what appears to be its original brown. Lock w/ some brown is mostly gray to brown patina. Stock retains most of what appears to be its original varnish. German silver is nicely toned. Bore is fine to very fine w/ very sm. scattered pits. Lock & triggers are good. Both front and rear sights are later replacements. PROVENANCE: Estate Collection of Kenneth Horn (Grandson of JC Higgins). (01-20665/MGM). ANTIQUE. $1,000-2,000.