1850's Percussion Squirrel Gun 32 cal.

[VAN]

A friend brought over this family heirloom gun to show me. It has what appears to be Pennsylvania Rifle Works on the lock. It has an octagonal bore that I guess must have been forged over a mandrel maybe. It was in pretty used and abused shape and was the first octagonal bore I have seen on a gun.

 

[Felonious]

Very cool!

 

[springfield art]

Maybe have it re-bored out and returned to service! Unless it's too beat up to do that.

 

[david w]

Is the rifling straight, or twist?

 

[VAN]

As far as I can see down the small bore there seems to be shallow straight rifling with the hexagon shape all the way down. There is no twist that I can determine. Here is an overall picture of the gun.