Guns International #: 102940959
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Guns International #: 102940959
Category - Antique Rifles - 1500-1850
- Antiques
Historic BENJAMIN BROWN FRENCH Silver Mounted Percussion Rifle - Important Abraham Lincoln Washington D.C. History
Description: Historic Silver Mounted J. H. Rector, Syracuse, New York, Half Stock Percussion Rifle Owned by Benjamin Brown French; Famed Politician & Commissioner of Public Buildings in Washington D.C. during the Lincoln Administration, .40 Cal, mfg. circa 1846-1867. This is an astounding piece of American history owned by one of the most significant politicians of the 19th century who worked directly alongside Abraham Lincoln and was present for some of the most important moments in the building of our nation. Born in New Hampshire in 1800 Benjamin Brown French served as a representative in the New Hampshire legislature from 1831-1833 and as clerk of the United States House of Representatives from 1845-1847. From 1847-1850 he served as president of the Magnetic Telegraph Company overseeing the expansion of telegraph communications throughout the country. In 1853 French was elected Commissioner of Public Buildings in Washington D.C., a position which placed him in care for all Federal buildings in our nation's capital. He personally laid the cornerstone of the Smithsonian Institution in 1847, laid the cornerstone of the Washington Monument (Washington D.C.) in 1848, and laid the cornerstone of the Washington Monument (Richmond, VA) accompanied by President Zachary Taylor in 1850. On July 4th 1851 he laid the cornerstone of the U.S. Capital extension and was responsible for overseeing construction of the iconic U.S. Capital Dome. French was Chief Marshal for President Lincoln's inauguration in 1861 and was a marshal present on the speaker's stand alongside Lincoln at the dedication of the Soldier's National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on November 19th, 1863 - The Gettysburg Address. A poem written by French was sung as a hymn between Edward Hale Everett's lengthy two-hour speach and President Lincoln's immortal two-minute address. At the second inauguration of President Lincoln in March 1865 French forcibly restrained John Wilkes Booth as he attempted to follow the presidential party out of the Capital Rotunda toward the inauguration platform. Booth would of course assassinate Lincoln one month later and it was Benjamin Brown French who stood over the president's dying bedside and oversaw his funeral services and procession. Three years later French presided over the dedication of Washington's first statue of Abraham Lincoln. During his long and storied career Benjamin Brown French had become the acquaintance and colleague of twelve U.S. Presidents from Andrew Jackson to Ulysses S. Grant and was Grand Master of the Knights Templar of the United States. From the age of twenty-eight until his death in 1870 French kept an extensive diary which is now held by the Library of Congress. A number of excerpts from this diary have been condensed into a book entitled "Witness to the Young Republic: A Yankee's Journal, 1828-1870", a copy of which is included with the rifle. Several entries attest to French being an avid sportsman and gun enthusiast including numerous detailed mentions of shooting and hunting, and even talking guns with Davy Crockett's son! The unique construction of the rifle with it's Masonic symbolism and very distinct architectural inlays is befitting of French's status as an esteemed Freemason and Commissioner of Public Buildings and suggests it was likely a presentation piece. The 33 5/8" long octagon barrel retains it's original dovetailed German silver blade front sight with fixed standing leaf rear. Barrel tang is threaded for a lollipop sight (absent). The top flat is stamped "J H RECTOR SYRACUSE / NY 27". Rector is listed as being active circa 1846-1867 which overlaps French's time in Washington and prime shooting years. The lock is marked "C BAKER" who is thought to have been a lock maker out of Albany, New York. Overall the metal has an even smooth plum patina thinning to gray with typical old surface deterioration at the breech around the drum and nipple. The highly figured striped Tiger Maple stock features a finely checkered wrist and cheekpiece fitted with a large coin silver hunter's star in the form of a Masonic All-Seeing Eye above an engraved silver plaque inscribed "Benjamin French". The wood shows smooth heavy wear throughout with a lovely untouched appearance and a wonderful blackened patina forming along protected surfaces. Worn surface chip behind the lock with typical loss above and an old chip at the right rear edge of the forearm ahead of the lock. A couple small old cracks above the sideplate a thin, worn chip at the leading corners of the forearm on either side. There is a very old surface impression around the wrist from having a tie or lanyard wrapped around it long ago however the wrist was never cracked, broken, or repaired. The patchbox is extraordinary. Constructed of solid silver it features an engraved door flanked by architectural columns and a detailed keystone archway above. The door is opened by a secret button activated by pressing the base of the left column. The heel and toe plates are identical 5" long silver architectural columns. Engraved brass buttplate with iron tip. Solid silver triggerguard with engraved silver sideplate, ramrod entry pipe, nosecap, and six engraved forearm inlays with solid gold shield mounted atop the wrist. There is a curious brass ring with hole ahead of the sideplate which at first glance looks like it would have held a second lock bolt however the design of the sideplate suggests the gun originally had just one so I am not sure of it's purpose. Current lock bolt is a later replacement. Old working life wood ramrod with one original iron pipe, one missing. The action is strong and firm and functions securely. Old replacement nipple. Originally fitted with double set triggers the rear set trigger is missing or removed and the action operates normally. Bore shows very good, sharp six-groove rifling front to back with moderate fine blackpowder frosting throughout. An extremely rare and important piece of United States history worthy of the finest private collection or National museum. Jeremiah Johnson Trading sells antique arms manufactured prior to 1899 and muzzleloading blackpowder reproductions only. For the purpose of these conditions the term "antique arms" will also include muzzleloading blackpowder reproductions. Buyers must be 21 years of age or older and have no felony convictions to purchase antique arms. Antique arms do not require Federal licensing and may be shipped directly to the buyer with the following exceptions. No antique arms will be shipped to Washington D. C. or any of the five boroughs of New York City (or residents thereof). Some restrictions may apply to antique firearms shipped to California and will be noted in the item description if applicable. Any antique arm shipped to New Jersey or Ohio must ship to a licensed FFL holder, no exceptions. Any muzzleloading blackpowder reproduction rifle, shotgun, or handgun shipped to Illinois must ship to an FFL holder. Items containing antique ivory will not be sold or shipped to residents of California, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, or Washington. Antique muzzleloaders and antiques which fire obsolete cartridges may be shipped internationally however it is the responsibility of the buyer to know and abide by their local laws and provide proof that the antique arm is legal to receive and own. Payment can be made by money order, banker's check, personal check, credit card (no additional fees), or bank wire. Please allow 7-10 business days for clearance on personal checks. If paying by credit card please call us directly to process your order. Items are professionally packed and shipped USPS Priority Mail with insurance coverage for the sale price and signature required for delivery. Items valued over $5,000.00 are shipped Registered Mail. Buyer pays actual shipping costs with no added charge for packing materials or handling. We describe items accurately and thoroughly. If an item has been misrepresented or significant defect overlooked you may return it for a full refund (minus return shipping costs) within 3 days of having received it. This timeframe begins once the package is delivered by the carrier. Buyer's remorse or concerns over issues noted in the description and/or pictures is not a valid excuse for return. Returned items must be received in the same condition as originally shipped - cleaning, disassembly, alteration, or damage of any kind will void inspection privileges. Occasionally a post-1898 firearm from my personal collection may be sold under this account and any such transaction is a personal sale in no way affiliated with Jeremiah Johnson Trading. Any such arm will be shipped to a licensed FFL or C&R holder in accordance with Federal law. All antique arms are sold as collector's items and are not warranted safe for shooting. Please consult a competent gunsmith prior to shooting any firearm. Price: $37,500.00 Antique: Yes Manufacturer: J. H. Rector Barrel Length: 33 5/8 Stock: Tiger Maple Manufacture Date: 1846-1867 Engraving: Yes Extras: Book Contact Seller |
Guns International #: 102940959
Guns International #: 102940959