3449 J.H. JOHNSTON PERCUSSION LONG RIFLE.

Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 1,000.00 USD
Estimated at 2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
Cal. 45. NSN. Bbl. 35 3/4" octagon measuring 13/16" across flats at muzzle. Bbl. has modern-appearing 8-groove rifling and may be rebored or a replacement. Top flat is marked "J. H. Johnston". American Gunsmiths by Frank M. Sellers has the following listing: "JOHNSTON, JOHN H., (1811-1889). Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, 1832–1889 Percussion fullstock rifles (Bowers).". German silver dovetail front sight w/ fixed V-notch rear sight. Engraved trade lock marked "warranted" under an illegible name. Double-set triggers. Full-length pin-fastened stock of curly maple. Right side has a pierced, segmented, & engraved rectangular brass lid patchbox. Other brass fittings include a crescent buttplate, toeplate, finger-curled trigger guard, sideplate, faceted thimble, three faceted pipes, & nose cap. An additional engraved plate is found between the lock & top tang. Wrist of the stock has moon & shield silver inlays. Cheekpiece has an oval silver inlay w/ engraved American eagle & shield. Other German silver fittings are found below the cheekpiece, behind & forward of the lock, and sideplate areas, w/ three additional inlays on each side of the forearm between relief-carved fluting. Left side of the stock between cheekpiece & buttplate has a relief-carved design. Artificially stripped hickory ramrod. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: leather possibles bag containing round balls, patches, & modern percussion caps. Powder horn, short starter, capper, & knife are hung from the canvas shoulder strap. Bag & accessories appear to be modern and artificially aged. CONDITION: bbl. has a smooth, lightly faded, browned finish. Light pitting is found in the breech area and becomes heavier in the forward portion of the lockplate. Stock has handling marks and an added coat of gloss finish over wear. Stock is cracked through the head between the lock & sideplate. Lock & triggers are sound. Bore is generally bright w/ strong rifling, showing some very light pitting. (01-21054/DS). ANTIQUE. $2,000-3,000.