C1850-60 fine percussion target/sporting halfstock rifle by Rogers & Bowen of Augusta, Georgia - $1650.00
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C1850-60 fine percussion target/sporting halfstock rifle by Rogers & Bowen of Augusta, Georgia. Markings as follows, lock marked "J.J.MACKEY", barrel marked "ROGERS&BOWEN/AUGUSTA GA/CAST STEEL" and rear sight marked "O.T.GIBBES/COLUMBIA.S.C". Rogers & Bowen is referenced in Frank Sellers' "American Gunsmiths", with E.H.Rogers and William Bowens operating from 1848-1861 in Augusta, GA. Elisha H. Rogers lived from 1813-1891, with various partnerships in the gun trade from 1839-1861 in Savannah and Augusta dealing in high quality percussion rifles and pistol. William D. Bowen is directory listed from 1840-1891. Octavius Thaddeus Gibbes is referenced online as a Confederate officer and mechanic/machinist by trade. 36" octagon barrel with small turned round muzzle. Bore is about .38 caliber. Metal parts have a pleasing medium patina, fine quality throughout with german silver mountings, nicely shaped patchbox, windage-adjustable thread-in "lollipop" tang sight, beautifully made and marked elevation-adjustable barrel rear sight and nicely-shaped german silver blade front sight. Walnut halfstock is made of attractively figured wood, checkered in the wrist, showing light wear and use but free of cracks and chips. Ramrod is a handmade period replacement. Provenance is by family descent from Samuel Woods Martin (1795, Albermarle, Virginia-1856), Thomas D. Martin (1827, Rock Fish Valley, Virginia-1875), DeCourcey Martin (1897, South Carolina-1965, Savannah, Georgia), Edward Holmes Martin (1931, Savannah, Georgia-2014, southern California), with descendants in southern California. Samuel Woods Martin's will is transcribed online and he owned extensive tracts of land and dozens of enslaved people, who are willed to his seven children. Mechanically good, sold as a collector item only, not warranted safe to shoot.
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