Guns International #: 102974959
Seller's Inventory #: 247392

Category - Antique Rifles - 1500-1850 - Civil War Rifles

Category
Antique Rifles - 1500-1850
Civil War Rifles

Antique WESSON & PRESCOTT Half-Stock PERCUSSION Rifle w/SILVER FURNITURE Makers Known for CIVIL WAR SHARPSHOOTER’S Rifles

Description:
Antique WESSON & PRESCOTT Half-Stock PERCUSSION Rifle w/SILVER FURNITURE  

Makers Known for CIVIL WAR SHARPSHOOTER’S Rifles

Here we present an antique Wesson & Prescott Half Stock Percussion Rifle, made between 1842 and 1848 in Northboro, Massachusetts. Edwin Wesson (1811-1849) was a leading target and sporting rifle manufacturer and trained his younger brothers Daniel B. Wesson and Frank Wesson, who went on to have their own famous careers. This rifle was made by the partnership of Edwin Wesson and E.A. Prescott, who were pre-Civil War rifle manufacturers working out of Northboro. They were known makers of match or target rifles that were used by sharpshooters during the Civil War.

Edwin Wesson opened his first shop in 1831 at Grafton, Mass, where he specialized in hunting, target and sporting percussion rifles. His rifles became soon renowned as the best quality target percussion rifles in the world, with a quality grade and finish that were far superior to any other competitive product. He moved his shop to Northboro, Massachusetts in 1842, where it stayed until 1848. That year he moved his shop to Hartford, Connecticut. Edwin Wesson died in January of 1849. Edwin Wesson’s target and sporting percussion rifles are now among the rarest and most desirable American-made percussion muzzleloaders.
The Wesson & Prescott partnership dissolved around 1849 with the death of Edwin Wesson. As mentioned, Edwin Wesson was the older brother of Danial Wesson, who together with Horace Smith, founded the famous Smith & Wesson Company, in 1855. Daniel Wesson worked with his brother Edwin and partner E.A. Prescott developing precision match rifles during the 1840’s, also contracting with Samuel Colt to supply 1,000 Barrels for the Colt Walker Revolvers. Edwin Wesson died in 1849, leaving his younger brother Daniel to continue his firearm developments. Wesson and Prescott match or target rifles are quite rare. Many period competitive target rifle shooters, as members of sharpshooter regiments during the Civil War, would enter the army taking with them their extremely accurate Wesson & Prescott match rifles. An example of one of their match rifles, used by Edwin J. Stanclift of the 8th Company, 1st. Battalion of the New York Sharpshooters during the Civil War is in the collection of the National Museum of American History.

The metal “furniture” is German silver, including the patch box, trigger guard, nose cap, butt plate and decorative escutcheons. It features floral motif engraving throughout the rifle. There are double set triggers and a grip extension trigger guard.

The overall condition is good. The action does not function. The bore is in good shape for its age. A this crack is present under the lock that wrap around to the left flat and shows movement when pressure is applied. The barrel and is drilled and tapped. Engraved lock. The markings are legible.

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

Barrel is 25-1/4 inches.

Caliber:  .45 Percussion

Overall condition as seen in photos.

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ancestryguns

$2000

#247392
 

Price: $2,000.00                     Buy Now

Antique: Yes