3500

FINE QUALITY HALF STOCK RIFLE WITH HORSEHEAD

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:500.00 USD Estimated At:1,000.00 - 1,500.00 USD
FINE QUALITY HALF STOCK RIFLE WITH HORSEHEAD
PATCHBOX BY L.R. LAMB OF WATERVILLE, ME CONVERTED TO PERCUSSION. Cal. 50. NSN. Bbl. 33 1/2" oct., under rib unmarked & has percussion conversion w/ nipple set into recess in breech end. Good quality lock w/ rebated tail fitted w/ flat faced percussion hammer. There is classic feather engraving at sidescrew hole & on tail. "L.R. Lamb" engraved at bottom. (L.R. Lamb known to have been working in Waterville, ME in 1846 listed by Demerrit). Walnut half stock is brass mounted. Crescent buttplate has release button at top of heel for cover of fancy horsehead patch box. This type was often used by a number of Massachusetts area gunsmiths. Horse's head faces left & sideplates have scroll outline. Engraving is also of the type found on Massachusetts rifles. Trigger guard w/ faceted bow has sm. spur at grip. Sideplate is oval. Bbl. attachment bolt escutcheons are silver. Stock also features deep swept right hand cheekpiece & widely spaced point pattern checkering at grip & forend. CONDITION: fair to good. Bbl. showing considerable wear & is mostly cleaned silver gray to black w/ scattered overall marks & pitting. Rear sight blade is broken off, front sight missing. Stock retains most of what appears to be its original finish. Brass is a dark mustard yellow. Patchbox cover replaced. Stock is sound except for a 3" crack on left side running from front of sideplate upward toward bbl. ending just to the rear of checkering. Bore is fair to good, strong rifling, considerably pitted. Lock is operable. Nipple is a relatively new replacement. PROVENANCE: The Estate Collection of Gary Parietti. (01-19020/MGM). ANTIQUE. $1,000-1,500.