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John Bach, San Fran., Perc. Plains/Buffalo Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,500.00 USD
John Bach, San Fran., Perc. Plains/Buffalo Rifle
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Antique Presentation Heavy Barrel Halfstock Percussion Plains or Buffalo Rifle, by John Bach, San Francisco, NVSN, .50 cal., browned twist-pattern 33.25'' heavy round barrel with full-length under-rib has dovetailed blade front sight, buckhorn rear sight atop 10.75'' flat sighting plane marked ''J. Bach/San Francisco'' behind ''H.P. Dorsey to J.A. Watson'' and with a 1.375'' sunburst engraved ahead, a large ''S'' at left; lightly floral-engraved flat lockplate is marked ''I-P-Moore/Warranted'' (typically an English import) below flat hammer and scrolled percussion bolster; German-silver furniture includes fancy finger-spur trigger guard, 4.675'' patchbox opening to a butt trap for patches and spare parts, engraved crescent buttplate with long leaf-shaped lower tang finial, small sideplate, two oval barrel wedge escutcheons, nosecap; varnished walnut halfstock is checkered at wrist, has carved cheekrest and two raised aprons on either side of lock, lead (or Britannia metal) rear and two iron ferrules retaining the brass-tipped hickory ramrod. Double set triggers. Mfg'd ca. 1850s-60s, as John Bach is known to have worked out of his shop on Commercial Street in San Francisco between 1855-65. Condition is fine retaining approx. 75% original brown striping to barrel, the balance of the metal being smooth gunmetal gray with sharp edges, engraving and markings; German silver is fine showing a smooth age patina; halfstock is sound with use marks mainly confined to bottom forend (doubtless from being rested while firing due to the weight of the barrel), sharp checkering, lovely grain and color, and most original varnish (has a .25'' x 5'' section behind nosecap on right, that may be patched or a tight hairline crack, but more likely is wood grain). Action is very strong and smooth; bore shines with light frosting, a small spot of erosion toward muzzle, and sharp rifling. This rifle is a wonderful, colorful and historic piece of California Gold Rush and Western Plains history, most worthy of further research. Est.: $3,000-$5,000. (Antique)(Doug Beneck collection)