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BEAUTIFUL ENGRAVED HALFSTOCK RIFLE BY VERMONT

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:500.00 USD Estimated At:1,000.00 - 2,500.00 USD
BEAUTIFUL ENGRAVED HALFSTOCK RIFLE BY VERMONT

GUNSMITH WILLIAM STORY. Cal. 50. NSN. Bbl. 32" full oct. rifled & appears to be unmarked. The engraved lock is signed "W, STORY". The walnut stock has an engraved 2-1/4" long comb inlay. There are 4 rectangular silver inlays around each of the 2 bbl. wedges & an engraved silver inlay sideplate. The cap box is very nicely engraved w/ a hunter shooting his gun at a running fox w/ his dog at his side. The silver trigger guard is also engraved w/ a running fox. The 4-1/2" silver toeplate is engraved as well. William Story was a son of Asa Story, the famous gunsmith & gun maker of West Windsor, VT. He probably apprenticed w/ his father & this gun shows he must have learned the trade well. This very rifle is pictured on pg. 236 of "Vermont's Gunsmiths & Gunmakers to 1900" by Harry Phillips & Terry Tyler published by Two Damn Yankees, Inc., 1525 West Road, Dorset, VT. CONDITION: rifle has a 4" long adj. sight which appears to be original to the rifle that may cover a bbl. signature. The bbl. is turned down for a false muzzle which is not w/ the rifle. There is a section of wood missing beneath the percussion nipple that is covered by a metal repair. It is interesting to note that the same repair is pictured in the book, which proves this is the very gun that is in the Vermont book. There is a 1-3/4" oval inlay missing on the cheek piece. A good gunsmith could easily replace the wood, however since it proves it is the same gun in the book, most would leave it as is. (01-21153/RG). ANTIQUE. $1500-2500.