This is not my rifle, but belongs to a friend who lurks here but isn't a member.
Rifle made mid 1800's by J Buswell in Glens Falls NY. What little info I could find about Buswell indicates he mainly built double guns of the rifle/shotgun combo type. All ( a total of 3 that I found pics of) were very ornate.
This gun has engraving and what appears to be gold wire inlay around the breach just behind the hammer.
The owner believes it to be a Pickett rifle, full 1" octagon barrel with rifling about 1 turn in 30". The muzzle cap for starting the ball is lost to history. It has about 28" of rifling and although the rifling at the muzzle is visible, it appears to be eased somewhat for loading. Possibly coned. I don't have a bore light small enough to get in the bore and the AAA battery trick only allowed me to see the bore, but not photograph it. Bore is very good. As best I can tell, it is about a .425 caliber. Odd, but that's what I'm coming up with. I know Bill Large made barrels in the 42 and 47 calibers and possibly others as well.
Length of pull is 13 1/2", set triggers. Front globe sight with post may be original to the gun. It is obvious in the pics that different rear sights have been on this gun over the course of its life, but the other sights are also lost to history.
Please note the small crack just ahead of the lock bolt head.
Guessing the interst in this gun will be for people around upstate NY or Vt as it was built in Glens Falls NY. My friend would prefer not to ship, so pickup is the best best. Asking $1500.
Rifle made mid 1800's by J Buswell in Glens Falls NY. What little info I could find about Buswell indicates he mainly built double guns of the rifle/shotgun combo type. All ( a total of 3 that I found pics of) were very ornate.
This gun has engraving and what appears to be gold wire inlay around the breach just behind the hammer.
The owner believes it to be a Pickett rifle, full 1" octagon barrel with rifling about 1 turn in 30". The muzzle cap for starting the ball is lost to history. It has about 28" of rifling and although the rifling at the muzzle is visible, it appears to be eased somewhat for loading. Possibly coned. I don't have a bore light small enough to get in the bore and the AAA battery trick only allowed me to see the bore, but not photograph it. Bore is very good. As best I can tell, it is about a .425 caliber. Odd, but that's what I'm coming up with. I know Bill Large made barrels in the 42 and 47 calibers and possibly others as well.
Length of pull is 13 1/2", set triggers. Front globe sight with post may be original to the gun. It is obvious in the pics that different rear sights have been on this gun over the course of its life, but the other sights are also lost to history.
Please note the small crack just ahead of the lock bolt head.
Guessing the interst in this gun will be for people around upstate NY or Vt as it was built in Glens Falls NY. My friend would prefer not to ship, so pickup is the best best. Asking $1500.