Guns International #: 102528557
Seller's Inventory #: 230749

Category - Antique Rifles - Percussion - Kentucky Rifles

Category
Antique Rifles - Percussion
Kentucky Rifles

c1850s LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA HENRY E LEMAN “Smooth Rifle” Antique .54 Cal German Silver Patchbox & Hardware

Description:
c1850s LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA HENRY E LEMAN “Smooth Rifle” Antique .54 Cal

German Silver Patchbox & Hardware

Here we present an antique Henry Leman Smooth Rifle, made circa the mid-19th Century in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Henry Eichholz Leman was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, March 8, 1812, and died there March 12, 1887. His ancestors had lived in Lancaster County for generations but there is no evidence that any of them were gunmakers, making him a first generation gunmaker.

His business career, 1834 to 1887, covered an important transition period in the evolution of fire-arms, changing from flintlock over to percussion, and then to cartridges. Leman started his career making flintlocks. Soon he changed to the muzzle-loading, percussion-cap rifles which made him famous. And, he lived into the years when the modern cartridge breech-loading guns came into general battlefield use.

Leman was also noted to be very active in firearms trade with the early American Indians. Frank R. Diffenderffer, always a close observer as well as a noted, historian, noted that: “Between 1857 and 1870 I was engaged in trades over the West and Southwest, making trips across the plains from Missouri to Mexico, and also from the Gulf of Mexico into Arizona. During that time it was my fortune to meet many tribes of Indians,—Apaches, Navajos, Comanches, Cheyennes, Kaws and Arapahoes, and most of them carried guns as well as bows and arrows. When occasion offered, I took pains to look at the names of the makers stamped on the weapons. By far the largest number were Leman rifles, and inquiry always revealed the preference of these Indians for the Lancaster-made guns over all others. It was possible to barter with the Indians for almost any of their possessions, but never for a Leman rifle.”

This rifle is quite petite and weighs no more than 5 lbs. The top of the barrel is marked “H.E. LEMAN” “LANCASTER” “WARRANTED”. The lock is marked “LEMAN” “LANCTR.PA”. Lovely German silver hardware and décor.

The overall condition is very good. Original finish and patina. The action is strong. The bore is untouched and smooth. The stock is in great shape. A fantastic piece with gorgeous engraved German silver!

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

Barrel is 31 inches.

Caliber: .54 Percussion

Overall condition as seen in photos.

Very Fast. Very Safe. FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE. Delivered directly to your door by express mail!

Guaranteed AUTHENTIC & Includes CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY.

ancestryguns

$2500

#230749
 

SOLD

Antique: Yes