Guns International #: 101616750
Seller's Inventory #: 201017

Category - Antique Rifles - Percussion - Antique Rifles - Percussion

Category
Antique Rifles - Percussion
Antique Rifles - Percussion

1860 PROTOTYPICAL Skeletonized All Metal-Stocked Rifle-Musket by P.R. SMITH Numbered “3”, Light, Durable Military .50 Cal Rifle!

Description:
1860 PROTOTYPICAL Skeletonized All Metal-Stocked Rifle-Musket by P.R. SMITH

Numbered “3”, Light, Durable Military .50 Cal Rifle!

Here we present an antique P.R. Smith Patent Skeletonized All-Metal Stocked Rifle-Musket, made circa 1860. This rifle is unique and possibly one-of-a-kind. It is numbered “3” to match on the stock, breech plug, barrel, rear sight assembly, and trigger guard. The stock appears to have been cast in the skeletonized form you see. The wrist has been hand-checkered just as a wooden stock would have been. Rather than a traditional forearm this one sports four triangular ribs secured by 4 square barrel bands. The front barrel band includes the front sight blade, while the rearmost barrel band includes the long-leaf, elevation adjustable rear sight. A standard P1853 ramrod was utilized. The barrel is round and 35-1/2 inches in length, and the rifled bore measures .516 from land to land.

The lock was made by R&W ASTON and is so marked. “P.R. SMITH PATENT” can be read atop the barrel.

This fascinating rifle shows every appearance of having been intended to be a slenderer, lighter, sturdier alternative to the Pattern 1853 Enfield. Weighing in at 8 ½ pounds, it is a full pound lighter than the standard P-1853 and the iron furniture would almost certainly have made it more impervious to the type of use and abuse inflicted on wooden stocked rifles of the period. It is also much slimmer and well-balanced.

Richard and William Aston were primarily lock makers in Birmingham, England at 8 Upper Priory and were in business circa the 1840s-1860s and are one of the known suppliers of materiel during the American Civil War, especially to the Confederacy. P.R. Smith, the patent holder, seems to have been especially active circa 1857-1860 as documented in various British mechanics journals that listed new patents during those years. Entries regarding Smith are typically vague and state: “Improvements in fire-arms and ordnance, and in the projectiles to be used therewith.” He is variously listed in Paris, Brussels, New York, but most intriguingly and specifically at Essex-Street in the Strand in London. He is also associated with inventor and metallurgist C.F. Vasserot. This interesting longarm was very likely produced as a one-off or possibly the third iteration or improvement as evidenced by its number “3”. It was almost certainly made in England though it does not appear to have undergone the proofing process.
The overall condition is fine. Original finish. The action is tight and robust. The bore is in very nice shape with sharp rifling. A rifle that will impress and intrigue the more you look at it!

Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction.

Barrel is 35-1/2 inches.

Caliber: .50 (.516” land to land) Percussion

Overall condition as seen in photos.

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ancestryguns

$3575

#201017
 

SOLD

Antique: Yes