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Kinzey Griffith II Alexandria Virginia Massive Punt Gun RARE 16+lbs 52"bbl History
Guns International #: 101378310 Seller's Inventory #:
Category: Shotguns - 4 and 8 Gauge - Antique Shotguns - Percussion
Seller's Information
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Seller: Jeremiah Johnson Trading
Company: Jeremiah Johnson Trading
Member Since: 1/27/12
First Name: Greg
Last Name: Schimetschek
State: Connecticut
Zip: 06423
Country: United States
Phone: (860) 873-1092
Number of Active Listings: 4
Total Number of Listings: 217
Seller: Private Seller
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
3 days
Payment Types Accepted: Check (personal checks take 7-10 days to clear), money order, credit card (no fee), or wire
About Us: Jeremiah Johnson Trading is one of the most experienced and trusted dealers of pre-1899 antique arms with over 40 years of collecting. We specialize in Colt, Winchester, Remington, Smith & Wesson, Parker, large-bore fowling guns, Revolutionary & Civil War arms, collectible Bowie & folding knives and more! We are also avid collectors of historic race cars & memorabilia. Visit us online at jeremiahjohnsontrading or find us on Facebook and Instagram.
Description:
*SALE PENDING* Jeremiah Johnson Trading is one of the most experienced and trusted dealers of antique arms with over 40 years of collecting. We also specialize in antique cars & petroliana, Revolutionary and Civil War artifacts, 19th century nautical & western memorabilia, early Bowie and folding knives, American folk art, and colonial era furnishings. Visit us online at JeremiahJohnsonTrading or find us on Facebook. Our shop is located at 1618 Saybrook Rd. Haddam, CT. Look for the gold '55 Chevy road sign! ~Trades and offers are always considered~ Exceedingly Rare & Massive Kinzey Griffith II, Alexandria, Virginia, Percussion Punt Gun, 7 Ga, mfg. ca. 1855. This gun comes directly from my long time personal collection of choice big bore shotguns and represents the pinnacle of commercial waterfowling history. It had spent it's entire life of 160 years in Virginia until I acquired it from an old estate there and had it shipped up to Connecticut. Large bore shotguns such as this were the preferred weapon of choice for commercial hunters who made their living supplying local markets and hotels with as much waterfowl as they could harvest on a daily basis. As the story goes the gun had been confiscated by local game wardens after the use of punt guns became illegal in 1918 and to ensure that it would never be used again for commercial hunting the muzzle was leaded shut, the ramrod broken, and two holes were drilled into the breech. The muzzle has since been opened but there is still lead around the edge. The gun weighs 16 lbs 4 oz and shows evidence of being mounted in a punt boat. The barrel measures 52 1/4" long and features a brass bead front sight. The inside diameter of the muzzle measures approximately .895" making this a 7 Gauge which was essentially a magnum version of the 8 Gauge. The top flat is inscribed "ALEXANDRIA". I spent years researching this mark before finally identifying it as that of Kinzey Griffith II, a gun maker who worked in Alexandria before the Civil War who's father had also made guns during the first quarter of the 19th century. The lock is inscribed with a name which I can not decipher but is likely that of an English trade lock maker. Often gun makers in America during this period would buy assembled locks and complete the rest of the gun themselves. Overall the metal has a very rich dark rust/plum patina showing heavy wear and use. The massive stock retains an untouched original finish throughout. There are two holes drilled through the stock behind the wrist so that the gun could be tied off to the bow of a boat. This form of rope breeching was done so that the boat would absorb the gun's tremendous recoil. Aside from a couple very small age checks the wood remains in excellent shape with no damage or repairs. The forearm alone measures 20" long! Original iron buttplate, triggerguard, wedges, and ramrod pipes with coin silver wedge escutcheons and pewter forend cap. The original forged iron ramrod has been broken short to render it inoperable. The action is very strong and crisp and functions flawlessly. The nipple is a clean original. Included is a letter of provenance and engraved display plaque. Not only is this an impressively large gun from an exceedingly rare Southern maker but also a prize example of an authentic punt gun that saw use well into the "outlaw gunner" days of the early twentieth century. Guns such as this rarely come up for sale outside of museums. An important piece of wildfowling history. Jeremiah Johnson Trading sells antique firearms manufactured prior to 1899 and muzzleloading blackpowder reproductions only. For the purpose of these conditions the term "antique firearm" will hence include muzzleloading blackpowder reproductions. Buyers must be 21 years of age or older and have no felony convictions to purchase antique firearms. Antique firearms do not require Federal licensing and may be shipped directly to the buyer with the following exceptions. No antique firearms will be shipped to Washington D. C. or any of the five boroughs of New York City or residents thereof. Some restrictions may apply to antique firearms shipped to California and will be noted in the item description if applicable. Any handgun (antique or muzzleloading blackpowder reproduction) shipped to New Jersey must ship to a licensed FFL holder. Any muzzleloading blackpowder reproduction rifle, shotgun, or handgun shipped to Illinois must ship to an FFL holder. No international sales of antique firearms which may fire conventional metallic cartridges or any reproductions regardless of ignition. Antique muzzleloaders, or antiques which fire obsolete cartridges, may be shipped internationally however it is the responsibility of the buyer to know and abide by their local laws and provide proof that the antique arm is legal to receive and own. Absolutely no sales of items containing antique ivory to New York, New Jersey, or California. No sales of bear parts to Alaska, California, Georgia, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Dakota, South Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Virginia, or West Virginia. Absolutely no international sales of knives or animal parts including items which contain antique ivory. Payment can be made by way of money order, banker's check, or personal check (Please allow 7-10 days for clearance on personal checks). Credit cards accepted for antique arms (no additional fees). If not satisfied with an item within 3 days of receiving it, simply return the item in the same condition as shipped for a full refund, minus return shipping costs. Cleaning, disassembly, or altering of a firearm in any way will void inspection privileges. Layaway may be allowed upon negotiation, but will void inspection privileges. Buyer pays actual shipping & insurance costs. Occasionally a post-1898 firearm from my personal collection may be sold under this account however it will be noted that any such transaction is a personal sale in no way affiliated with our business. Any such arm will be shipped to a licensed FFL or C&R holder in accordance with Federal law. All firearms are sold as collector's items and are not warranted safe for shooting. Please consult a competent gunsmith prior to shooting any firearm. Message or call with any questions about this firearm, or any of our other items at 860-873-1092 (office) or 860-345-2100 (shop).
SOLD
Antique: Yes
Manufacturer: Kinzey Griffith II
Barrels: 52 1/4
Gauge Info: 7
Weight: 16 lbs 4 oz
Manufacture Date: Circa 1855
Extras: Letter & Plaque