Guns International #: 101399979
Seller's Inventory #: 190323

Category - Kentucky Rifles - Antique Rifles - 1500-1850

Category
Kentucky Rifles
Antique Rifles - 1500-1850

CATSKILL NY 1850s SNIPER/LONG RANGE Rifle & Scope JOHN F VanSchaack TOLLEY 23 POUND 1850-70s Sharpshooter/Buffalo Gun!

Description:
CATSKILL NY 1850s SNIPER/LONG RANGE Rifle & Scope JOHN F VanSchaack TOLLEY

23 POUND 1850-70s Sharpshooter/Buffalo Gun!

Here we present an antique Long-Range Percussion Long Rifle with a Telescopic Scope, made circa the mid-1800s. This rifle features a tubular brass scope with a fine crosshair with an adjustable mount. Yes, scope mounts were used to adjust the windage and elevation of the scope rather than doing do internally with moving the crosshairs. The muzzle was fitted with a false muzzle to help protect the actual muzzle’s crown—at key to precision shooting. The trigger mechanism is a double set rig that makes this rifle both safer and more precise. The rifle’s hammer may be cocked safely without worry that the very fine, light and crisp trigger would be jarred and setting off the gun before intended. Once cocked, the rear trigger would be set and the front trigger ready for the shooter to touch it off. Finally, this gun is extremely heavy, tipping the scales at over 23 lbs. for the total package. The amazingly stout, octagonal barrel—bored for .45 caliber—would have been able to withstand quite a powder charge. In addition, the weight would have helped to steady the gun when resting it and taking aim. Speaking of weight and resting the gun, this rifle was meant to be shot from a rested position and even has a steel fixture for mounting onto a bracket or a stand. The caliber would have been ideal for man or beast and rifles such as this one are known to have been used during the American Civil War by snipers and sharpshooters, as well as on the plains for use on bison and other massive animals that were being hunted at the time.

The top of the barrel is marked “J.F.V.S. TOLLEY/CATSKILL”. John F. Van Schaack Tolley appears to have been the patriarch of a multigenerational gunmaking family in Catskill, New York. He was born circa 1813 and lived until 1885. In the 1880 census he is listed as “retired gunmaker”. George Tolley, perhaps son or brother, testified in a local murder case as an expert witness in  Later known guns would be marked “TOLLEY & SON”. Any of the Tolley guns are very rare and a heavy precision rifle like this may was probably made specially for someone. No other example found like it. The lock reads “MOORE” clearly and features a hunting scene.

The overall condition is Fine. The action is as strong as ever! The bore remains bright with sharp rifling. The scope remains clear and the crosshairs intact. Beautiful. A superb piece of history from Upstate New York from a fascinating time in United States history.

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

Barrel is 33-1/4 inches.

Caliber: .45

Overall condition as seen in photos.

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ancestryguns

$5400

#190323
 

SOLD

Antique: Yes