Mid 1800's Half Stock Long Rifle Leman Lancaster Pennsylvania
Item #: AA3293
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This is a half stock Pennsylvania long rifle manufactured by Leman, a Pennsylvania gunsmith from Lancaster. This percussion rifle measures 52" in length with a 36 1/4" octagon barrel. The barrel has a dull steel gray patina and has a smooth, pit free exterior, and is retained by an iron pin and two tang screws. The barrel has been cleaned at some point, and is starting to age back. The bore is .36 caliber and is dark, but is not pitted. The rear buck horn style sight is dovetailed into the barrel 9" forward of the breech. The front sight is a German silver blade design, also dovetailed into the barrel. There are no visible stamps or markings on the barrel, but it has not been removed from the stock. The two ramrod thimbles are securely attached to the iron flat under the barrel. The barrel has an extra long tang requiring two screws. The lockplate is marked with the name LEMAN/LANCTR.PA, along with three simple floral designs. The mechanics of the lock work, but are a little weak. I believe this long rifle has always been a percussion gun and was not converted from flint. The trigger and set trigger function normally, but are also just a little weak. The trigger guard and butt plate are made of brass, the nose cap is made of pewter. The barrel, nose cap and ram rod thimbles have all been cleaned at some point, and have a lighter patina than the lock. There is a silver oval disc on top of the wrist with three engraved letters. They show considerable wear, but I believe they are LJC, likely the owner of the gun. There is another inlay of silver on the right stock comb, flower shaped with incised lines. Just behind that is a round piece of mother of pearl, inlaid in the stock. The letters W P and what looks to be the year 186? are incised in the mother of pearl. A small silver patchbox is on the right stock comb, used to carry extra caps. A brass escutcheon plate is used to help secure the lock on the right stock flat. The stock is a lighter brown color, and has been stained to look like curly maple. There is some wood loss on the right side of the stock, at the bolster area and just forward of the drum. This is probably the result of burnout due to repeated firing of the weapon. The stock in cracked in the wrist, the crack running from the rear of the escutcheon plate down between the double triggers and around to the rear of the lock on the opposite side. There is evidence of glue, or epoxy that has been used in an attempt to stabilize the crack, but there is still a little play in the wrist. The barrel channels are crisp and without wood loss until you get to the lock, then there is a 1 1/2" piece missing. This long rifle walked into the Texas Gun Collectors Association show in Denton a few weeks ago. While it has an issue with the stock, it still has some awesome display power!
Shipping Weight:
8 lbs
Item # AA3293
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