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Rare Jacob's Military SxS Perc. Double Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,500.00 USD Estimated At:NA
Rare Jacob's Military SxS Perc. Double Rifle
Auction Location:

16600 Aston Street
Irvine, CA
Rare Jacob's Military Side-by-Side Percussion Double Rifle, by Swinburn & Sons, #246, 32 ga., 24'' blue finish steel barrels with .585'' bores and wide 4-groove rifling, rear sights are in-line mounted along a 5/8'' full length flat rib and are a combination of two folding 100 and 200 yard V-notch leafs with a third blank 300 yard leaf and a folding ladder in increments of 300 to 2000 yards; front sight is a dovetailed blade with a large top bead; barrels have commercial and military Birmingham proofs on the lower chambers with serial numbers on both hooks; inspection marks are also visible on the breech plugs, ladder sight and barrel band; a large single pipe on bottom rib retains a tight friction fit 23'' steel and brass ramrod with a raised brass neck flange; back-action locks are case colored and feature the maker's name over an ''1859'' date. The half stock is dense walnut with a straight grip and heavy gloss varnish and is attached to the barrels with a single barrel band incorporating a 1-3/8'' sling swivel; reinforced triggerguard has a checkered recoil extension just ahead of the rear sling swivel; a deep circular patchbox is inset in the right side of the stock with ''Jacob's Rifles'' engraved in the lid. Length of pull is 14-1/4'' to a contoured steel buttplate; weight is 10-1/4 lbs. Designed by Brigadier Gen. John Jacob for use in India, the rifle fired an explosive conical round with four raised lands that engaged the deep rifling grooves. The theory being that a well-placed shot into enemy positions would ignite black powder or other combustible materials. In actual practice, the rifle suffered from heavy recoil and rapidly decreasing functionality as each successive shot was fired and burned powder and grease fouled the bores. Production ceased after approx. 1,000 units with minor variations encountered. Condition of this early Jacob's rifle remains good with strong mainsprings and functional triggers. Action, patchbox, barrel band and sights are drifting to an oxidized brown patina with areas of accumulated surface corrosion. Barrel blue is 70% and thinning with oxidation along the top rib seams. Bores are oxidized brown, muzzles are pitted with a mottled brown patina, breech plugs have verdigris and pitting. Stock is generally dented and scratched; the re-varnish is darkening to black along the wrist and forend tip. Est.: $3,000-$5,000. (Antique)