Mid 1800's .56 Caliber Bear Rifle by Robert Liddle San Francisco, California
Item #: AA4099
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This is a percussion, half stock, heavy barreled "bear rifle" from the mid 1800's. It has an overall length of 48", with a barrel length of 31 3/8". The blued octagon barrel has a lightly struck LIDDLE . SAN FRANCISCO forward of the breech. Robert Liddle emigrated to the United States from England in 1829 with his parents. He was working as a twelve year old apprentice gunsmith in Baltimore in 1836. He moved to San Francisco, California in 1854 and established the Liddle Company, a gunmaker and retailor. In the late 1860's he partnered with Charles Kaeding to become the largest sporting good retailor in the San Francisco area. They were in business from the late 1860's to 1889, when Liddle left the organization to work independently until 1898. The bore is .56 caliber and is still somewhat bright, with strong rifling showing. The muzzle of the barrel has been turned down for use with a bullet starter. The lock plate is unmarked. The barrel is retained by a single iron wedge and two tang screws. There are two ramrod thimbles secured to the bottom of the barrel. The wooden ramrod has been with this gun forever. The rear sight is a replacement elevation adjustable leaf sight. The front sight is a Rocky Mountain brass blade type and dove tailed into the barrel. The mechanics of the lock need a little work. Sometimes the hammer will not hold in the cocked position unless the set trigger is depressed as the hammer is cocked. The set trigger and primary trigger function normally. The butt plate, trigger guard and ramrod thimbles are iron, the nose cap is made of pewter. A brass patch box has been inlaid into the right side of the stock and has a beautiful chocolate patina. The checkered walnut half stock is in good condition. There is no wood loss, but there is a shallow stress crack that runs from the nose cap along the belly of the stock almost to the front of the trigger guard. There is another shallow crack on the back side of the escutcheon screw approximately 1" in length. This big bore "bear rifle" came out of the Charles Worman collection.
Shipping Weight:
12 lbs
Your Price $2,500.00 USD
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