Original Item: One of a Kind. Now this is truly an impressive weapon! This very interesting percussion musket has a MASSIVE 5 bore barrel with clear 5 groove rifling. It is signed by SILLIVER. LONDON on the lock plate and on top of the barrel, a gunsmith or retailer that we unfortunately have not been able to find much information on.
What we can be certain of is that this weapon must have packed an incredible punch, intended for incredible stopping power. This very substantial gun was probably for use in an elephant howdah to repel an incoming tiger or other large beast. We can only imagine the size of the bullets used. It has a small patch box on the left side of the butt stock, which would barely hold one bullet!
The musket features very smart decorative plaited brass wire binding on both fore end and wrist to give added strength to the great powder loads often used in these man eater tiger guns. We can see that it originally it was checkered on the forestock and wrist, but that is now faint. There also is cracking around the breech end of the barrel, now reinforced, so this is a gun that was definitely used!
Condition is very nice, with engraving on the lock and hammer, with brass and German silver mountings on the stock. The ramrod is definitely a replacement wooden dowel.
Heavy and most impressive! A magnificent display piece from the early days of “big game” hunting!
Specifications-
Year of Manufacture: Circa 1850-60
Caliber: Approximately 25mm / 1″ – 5 Bore
Ammunition Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 30 Inches
Overall Length: 46 Inches
Action type: Side Action Percussion Lock
Feed System: Muzzle Loader
NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these.