Original British Upmarket Big Game Percussion Rifle by Thomas Williamson of Bridgnorth, Shropshire – Circa 1845 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a magnificent Percussion hunting rifle of approximately .59 Caliber, intended for “big game” as one might find when traveling to various parts of the Victorian British Empire. It features an octagonal twist steel Damascus barrel with heavy 10 groove rifling, and is fitted with a big game rear three leaf flip sight and post front sight.

The lock plate fully engraved, as is the barrel tang, hammer, trigger guard and butt plate tang. This was really an upmarket gun made for a wealthy customer base. Most of the mountings are steel, except for the escutcheons and nose cap. The lock is marked THO’S WILLIAMSON, with BRIDGNORTH on the top of the barrel by the breech, for maker Thomas Williamson of Bridgnorth in Shropshire (Salop), England.

The rifle features a lovely fine walnut half stock with checkered wrist, which shows no damage and has a lovely polished glow. Rifle comes complete with brass tipped original ram rod tapped to the front to accept various barrel cleaning accessories. and both sling swivels are still present.

The lock has a safety catch for the hammers, which can be engaged at half cock, preventing the hammer from being moved to full cock until the safety is disengaged. It is still fully functional, holding at half cock, and firing at full, and the safety works great as well. We checked the bore, and it is in very good condition, with a mostly bright finish still showing clear 10 groove rifling. There is even a tompion muzzle plug with the rifle, though it is almost certainly more recent.

A very nice complex example, a really nice mid 19th Century English sporting rifle, ready to display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: Circa 1845
Caliber: .59 inches
Ammunition Type: Cap and Ball
Barrel Length: 29 inches 
Overall Length: 45 inches
Action: Side Action Percussion Lock
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country’s antique gun laws prior to ordering.