ITEM # 289
.45 cal percussion, 37" octagon bbl with an about excellent bore. The barrel and lockplate are both maker marked, the barrel reading "Joseph Cooper New York", the breech plug, tang, hammer and lockplate all show very nice quality scroll engraving, the lockplate with game birds at its rear. The steel surfaces are overall pleasing gray patina with some very minor oxidation staining also nearly overall, more prevalent around the patent breech. The barrel is retained by a single wedge and tenon and the patent breech shows a single gold band at its rear-most section. The balance of the furniture is German silver, and is quite ornate. The trigger guard features nice forward and rear curvatures and features the same nice quality scroll engraving. Crescent style buttplate features a faceted top tang, it is lightly engraved. The toeplate and patchbox are lightly engraved and pierced, the toeplate showing a release button for the patchbox. Left side of the scant cheek piece shows a nice German silver inlay, the lock screw escutcheon is lightly engraved as well. There is an oval monogram plate at the extreme rear of the tang engraved "LC" the wedge tenons are German silver as is the ramrod funnel and the forend tip. The stock is American black walnut and shows a nice figure on the right side of the wrist, there is a very old repaired chip ahead of the lock, the wood matches flawlessly. The gun features a simple silver plated front sight with an adjustable rear sight. The original ramrod is present, there is a minor crack at the left stock flat, from the breech plug rearward through the screw escutcheon. The gun is equipped with dual set triggers. The nipple has been replaced. This rifle is in a truly lovely state of condition and could actually be used if someone opted to. Joseph Cooper was active in New York City, by some accounts as early as 1812, and is listed at Broadway until 1851, after this time he was partnered as "Cooper and Pond", until 1867 and "Cooper Harrison & Hodgkins" until 1874; although it is likely these later associations were in name only, or perhaps carried on by some offspring. In any event the quality of the work is second to none. This is a lovely rifle that is still functional after all these years. (2060-1) {ANTIQUE} (2000/3000) |
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