3033

A RARE AND IMPORTANT PERCUSSION HALF-STOCK HUNTING

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:3,000.00 USD Estimated At:6,000.00 - 8,000.00 USD
A RARE AND IMPORTANT PERCUSSION HALF-STOCK HUNTING
RIFLE FROM H.G. NEWCOMB OF NATCHEZ, MISSISSIPPI. Cal. 45. NSN. Bbl. 33 1/2". An outstanding Antebellum rifle with an octagon barrel featuring a low profile blade front sight and a notch sight 7" up from the bolster. The top of the barrel is marked “H.G. NEWCOMB NATCHEZ”. Engraved bolster & barrel tang with similarly engraved hammer & lock plate. The front of the lock plate is clearly marked “H.G. NEWCOMB NATCHEZ”. Iron trigger guard, of a form seen on other Newcomb marked guns, and double set triggers. The trigger guard, buttplate and patch box all have similar engraving that matches the lock. There is an inset German silver 5 pointed star in the cheekpiece. A German silver escutcheon surrounds the barrel pin and the nose cap is also made of German silver. The 2 ramrod thimbles and the entry thimble are iron. The ramrod is wood and, if not original, has been paired with the gun for many years. The patch box still contains original greased patches. The stock is checkered at the wrist and shows an attractive grain. Henry G. Newcomb was born in New York in 1811 and emigrated to Natchez, Mississippi. It is unclear when he arrived in Natchez, however, by the late 1840’s Newcomb had become one of 3 premier gunsmiths from Natchez along with Odell and Fitzpatrick. His earliest known advertisement in local Natchez newspapers was in 1845 when his shop was located at the corner of Commerce and Franklin Streets. He advertised a full assortment of rifles, shotguns, pistols, sportsman’s materials, powder, and cartridges. CONDITION: the barrel has an overall dark patina with traces of plum brown. The bolster shows hints of case colors. The lock & hammer, as well as all other iron parts, have a general dark patina with traces of finish remaining. The stock has minor dents & dings and shows a very well executed repair at the wrist. A very nice bore with strong rifling. A very fine and desirable example of an antebellum Natchez, Mississippi hunting rifle. Section of trigger guard (old repair in our opinion). There are also 2 holes drilled in forward curve of trigger bow (also in period of use in our opinion). (01-22615/BF). $6,000-8,000.