174

W.Roberts Mule Ear Rifle/Shotgun .40/.28 Ga.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,000.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
W.Roberts Mule Ear Rifle/Shotgun .40/.28 Ga.
CURRENT BID
0.00USD
ENTER YOUR MAXIMUM ABSENTEE BID[?]
You must bid at least
1,000.00USD
USD
1,000.00 x 1 unit = 1,000.00USDApplicable fees & taxes are added at checkout.
[?]Live Online Auction Starts In 2026 May 02 @ 10:00 (UTC-07:00 : PDT/MST)
SN: 17. New York Percussion Mule Ear Over Under Buck and Ball Gun by W. Roberts. Antique percussion combination rifle/shotgun made circa 1856. This is a very interesting American design that originated in the 1820s and continued through the mid-1800s. This is a percussion rifle and shotgun combination that is fired by the two independent percussion hammers on the right side of the firearm with vertical, side-slap actions. These were very popular in the northeast and upper New York. Both the barrel & lock plate are marked "W. Roberts Dansville NY" with the serial number "17". ( The lock plate stamp is very feint). The lock plate is dated "1856". William Roberts manufactured distinctive "mule ear" side-hammer percussion firearms, typically as over/under rifles or rifle/shotgun combinations during the mid-19th century (approx. 1849–1866). 30" over/under barrel with .40 cal rifle barrel on top and .28 gauge shotgun barrel on the bottom, brass sighting bead and fixed U-notch rear sight, double set triggers,nice finger rest triggerguard, patch box inletted on right shoulder stock and crescent steel buttplate. There are two brass tipped wood ramrods for the different sized bores, the top bore is rifled and the shotgun barrel is smooth bore. The metal, including the patch box has turned a brown patina with age, the locks function well, the upper tang is missing the top screw. the wood stock is very good/sound with no chips or cracks. This firearm is pictured on pages 1396 and 1397 of The New York State Firearms Trade Vol. 3 by Swinney & Rowe. William Roberts was active from about 1849 to perhaps 1866. A very attractive and distinctive buck and ball gun.
NRA Condition-Very Good. Antique Firearm.