|
HALF STOCK FOR A LARGE CALIBER PERCUSSION DOUBLE
RIFLE – GREAT PROSPECT FOR A WINTER PROJECT: I
acquired this half stock assembly from a local
collection. Both the original collector when he found
it at an estate sale years ago, and I, when I spotted it
in his collection, came to the same conclusion – this
piece was just too good to be tossed away. Still, with
all the potential it holds, I realize it is only a
prelude to a larger project, so it has been priced
accordingly.
This half stock is hefty both in weight and profile, and
therein lay the clues to how the firearm presented when
it was complete. The wide profile of the butt, the brass
reinforcing bands along both sides of the butt plate and
along the cheek rest, and the presence of the patent
breech lead me to believe this rifle was of the style of
the early double barreled percussion Cape Rifles used to hunt the
dangerous game of the Dark Continent. Shouldering this stock makes it easy to envision it finished with a
pair of heavy, large caliber rifle barrels fitted with
express sights.
The stock was broken through the fore end, forward of
the breech, but the two pieces have remained together.
The break was far enough forward of the breech area that
it did not affect the integrity of the breech itself or
the lock mortises. A skilled gunsmith could
restore the stock so that it would properly support the
new set of double barrels.
This stock is complete with matching brass
buttplate, toe plate, and trigger guard, both triggers,
both complete percussion locks, the patent breech
and tang assembly, and the forestock has the ramrod
entry ferrule. The locks and triggers function
properly, and the trigger pull is very crisp.
This stock has great potential to finish out as a
stunning hunting rifle of the mid-1800’s and it’s a
project piece limited only by your imagination and your
skill or that of your gunsmith. (0916) $300
|
