Original Item: The first British Percussion Military Rifle to succeed the famous Baker Flintlock Rifle of the Napoleonic era was originally intended to have eleven-groove rifling. However, this Hanovarian design was rejected in favor of what became the standard Two Groove “Belted Ball” .704 Cal. rifle, a design copied from the military of the Duke of Brunswick, a German cousin of Queen Victoria.
Our “Brunswicks” were manufactured by the East India Company and Nepalese armories using a mix of British and locally made parts they were issued exclusively to the British Home Army and the Indian Army rifle regiments. India at the time was under the authority of the Honorable East India Company and these percussion rifles were used to great effect in Britain’s expanding Colonial empire. Originally adopted in 1837 using a back action percussion system, this was updated in 1847 to a percussion side lock system, and then surpassed in 1853 with the adoption of the p-1853 Percussion Rifled Musket, which became the standard for the entire British Military.
Our Brunswick rifles date from the earlier back action design. That design included the following when they were originally issued: 30′ 2 groove rifled barrel, back action percussion lock, full stocked wood stock mounted with all brass furniture including trigger guard, butt plate, ram rod pipes and brass patch box in the butt, flip rear sight, and heavy steel bayonet bar on the right side of the barrel to carry a brass hilted sword bayonet. An important part of British Colonial History, this classic Brunswick p-1837 percussion rifle saw service throughout the empire.
These 160+ year-old Rifles are TOTALLY untouched and offered in AS IS condition for you to enjoy!
What does “Untouched Condition” mean? OK, this is exactly what we are offering: Genuine pre-1898 Nepalese manufactured P-1837 Brunswick Two Groove Rifles that have laid undisturbed for well over 100 years in far from perfect storage conditions in the Old Palace of Lagan Silekhana in Katmandu, Nepal. Our DVD of “TREASURE IS WHERE YOU FIND IT” shows these very weapons as we found them and the story behind them.
What you will get:
– Lock
– Barrel
– Brass Butt Plate (fitting required) could be New or Original
– New Made Brass Patch Box Cover (fitting required)
– Brass Trigger Guard (may be incomplete, cracked)
– Stock [May have Cracks, Missing Chunks, Old repairs, Wood Rot]– Cleaning Rod
What you might not get:
– Screws [Sling Swivel, Butt Plate, Lock, etc]– Nipple
– Sights
– Brass Nose Cap
– Sling Swivel
– Barrel Pins
– Other bits
Typical Condition:
– Will show Rust
– Will be Covered in filth
– May not operate
– May be incomplete
– Stock may be broken or cracked
– May be frozen in grime
However, EVERY rifle WILL BE 100% GENUINE! Please note that while a few have original butt plates or patch box covers, we cannot honor any request for those. The new made patch box covers & butt plates will almost always require fitting / filing.
We ask you to look closely at the photographs, the example photographed here is a typical gun that could expect to receive, read reviews, both good and bad, and only then place an order understanding what you are likely to receive. We want Educated Aware Customers. If it isn’t what you expect, that is fine, return it (before you attempt any restoration or cleaning) and the full gun purchase price will be refunded to you, however the customer will pay shipping both ways. We cannot exchange guns and will not get into an exchange situation, so please do not ask.
We are not trying to sell you an incomplete weapon and then sell you the missing parts. We will do our best to make sure it is complete as possible. One day we will also sell replacement parts, but that is in the distant future.
We are not trying to frustrate you; we are trying to fill a void in the marketplace for genuine but affordable rare and unique antique weapons so that collectors and historians of all backgrounds can enjoy a genuine part of history.
These should be viewed as “project” guns, work on it with your Son or Grandson, clean it up, hang it over your mantle, or don’t clean it, they are impressive anyway you see them. The price is affordable; the history is priceless.
If you want to shoot it, DON’T! If you still want to shoot it, take it to a licensed GUNSMITH first. These are 160+ year-old hand made guns, be very careful, IMA sells these for display purposes only, they are not intended to be fired. Please buy our products, but do read the reviews and descriptions first. We feel you will agree that the recovery of old weapons from Nepal was a milestone for the collecting fraternity and we hope you enjoy a genuine antique weapon that has never been touched by any other collector than you.
Click here to check out the process of cleaning and restoring this antique gun, as done by master gunsmith Norm Sutton!
Specifications:
Years of Manufacture: c.1845
Caliber: .70 inches
Ammunition Type: Ball & Powder with Percussion Cap
Barrel Length: Approx. 30 inches (varies)
Overall Length: Approx. 45 inches (varies)
Action: Back 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.