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JAMES ASTON: UNBELEIVABLE UNFIRED 1860 CALIBER 58 BRITISH PERCUSSION ENFIELD SPORTING MUSKET in ORIGINAL OAK CASE - OVERALL 97% ORIG. COND.
Guns International #: 103262839 Seller's Inventory #: y21
Category: Antiques - Military Rifles - Antique
Seller's Information
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Seller: Champlin
Company: Champlin Firearms Inc.
Member Since: 11/19/07
First Name: George
Last Name: Caswell
State: Oklahoma
Zip: 73702
Country: United States
Phone: (580) 237-7388
Platinum Seller
Seller: FFL Dealer
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
5 Plus Days
Payment Types Accepted:
Description:
#338, James Aston, Hythe, Kent: A 58 Caliber Percussion British Pattern 1853 Enfield Sporting Musket that remains Unfired in its Original Case with Original accessories, James Aston was the Armourer to the School of Musketry, This piece is Totally Museum Quality & Museum Condition, Overall in 97% Original Condition on both Metal & Wood, Made about 1860, 32" Steel Barrel with a perfect bore (I don't like the word perfect but it applies here), A 3 groove bore, An Enfield Model Fold-up ladder sight marked for 1000 yards, Front sight dovetailed in the barrel, Half cock hammer, The steel trigger guard strap is profiled into a pistol grip, Sling eyes, 14 3/16" LOP over a steel buttplate, 7 lbs., Excellent wood with very nice color contrast, Absolute original barrel blue at 96%, It retains 99% Bright & Vivid Original Case Colors on the lockplate and hammer, The trigger guard retains 99% case colors, The butt plate retains 99% bright and vivid case colors, The patchbox cover has 99% case colors, The top strap has 99% colors, The steel forend tip has 99% colors, The stock remains at 98-99% considering the age of this gun, The checkering is at 99%, The bore is absolutely like new and totally looks like the day it went to the new owner, The total of all the screws are at 98-99% and lay north & south. The whole is cased in the original Oak trunk with original accessories, A Sykes Leather powder flask that is in 99% condition, An original tin of Eley Bro's Percussion caps, Some cast bullets; Notice in the case photo, there is 2 each cylindrical pieces of wood. One is the original "former" to roll the cartridge paper. Once rolled and the bullet secured all that remained was for the cartridge to be filled, twisted, and greased or lubricated. You form the powder case, Roll the “stiff paper” pattern, tightly around the other original piece of wood called the “mandrel”. Original ramrod, Original cleaning gear. The trunk case remains in excellent condition as well with the original lining in excellent shape. This piece embodies classic English Sporting Percussion with strength, distinctive styling, high quality, elegance, grace and from an era that is all things British. There are Percussion rifles and then there are serious Percussion rifles. It is unbelievable that a piece from this era remains in Museum Condition. Dreams of tigers, ships, and palaces, fine spices and women and silk.
James Aston was the Armourer to the School of Musketry, The Small Arms School Corps (That Name came Later) is a small corps of the British Army, established in 1853 by Lord Hardinge, the Commander-in-Chief of the British Army, Its personnel provide advice and instruction to infantry weapon trainers throughout the army and for target practice, in order to maintain proficiency in the use of small arms and support weapons, and in range management. The era of the rifled bore Percussion cap ignition Rifle was here to be used with an expanding bullet that improved accuracy out to 600 yd (550 m) and greatly reduced reloading time from the Flintlock. Now they had guns that were more accurate, at a longer range, was quicker to load and was marginally safer for the user as to ignition. Elevation, windage and ballistics now played a part. This sporting gun was most likely made for a British Officer that served abroad, likely in India or Africa.
It is believed James Aston had ties with Hollis and Sheath at 5-11 Weaman Row, St. Mary's Square in Birmingham and later with Hollis & Sons. Hollis & Sheath Birmingham were Makers to Her Majesty’s War Department Enfield Volunteer’s Private Purchase. This classic piece most likely made about 1860 by Hollis & Sheath or perhaps later at Hollis & Sons.
Price: $13,400.00
Curio/Relic: Yes
Rifle Caliber: .58