1890 Pat'd Russell & Erwin Wind Up push button Doorbell Here is a really neat old late 1800's mechanical doorbell. This large and quite loud on iron bell was made by Russell & Erwin of New Britain Conn. and has a patent date of October 21, 1890. Unlike many of these old Victorian bells you may see for sale, which often are missing a part internally, are broken, or do not have the correct type of operator needed in order to actually work, all the bells we sell at Picker's have been tested and are ready to install and use as soon as you get them. If they are not working , we won't list them. This bell has a fancy brass button plate and when your visitor's press the button, the pressure activates a spring loaded rod that releases the bell lock and causes the bell to ring for as long as they are holding in on the button. You might think the bell would need to be wound up all the time, but actually it lasted at our shop for days without needing to be wound, even though my 3 year old grandson could not keep his fingers off the button for more than a few minutes at a time. I'm pretty sure that if it outlasted Remy, it will outlast anyone.
All set up to install on a standard two inch thick exterior door. With only one hole to drill and 5 screws to hold both the bell and the button plate in place, almost anyone can install this great antique door bell in a half hour or less..... Really.
Condition: antique - works great
Color: On Sale for Mother's Day
Manufacturer: Russell & Erwin  

US Model 1842 Musket - Civil War - Confederate Marked WE ASK YOU TO PLEASE NOTE: WE CAN NOT ACCEPT PAYMENTS THROUGH PAYPAL FOR ANY OF OUR ANTIQUE FIREARMS. PLEASE PAY BY CHECK OR MONEY ORDER ONLY. THANK YOU. JM

Through the years, I have become extremely attached to my gun collection, but I simply cannot keep every gun I buy, so after many, many years serving as one of the highlights of my collection, I am offering this very special piece of Civil War History for sale. I will miss this fine old rifle. It is a US model 1842 which was made, as marked, at Harpers Ferry in 1850. The date and maker marks are very good; it is the Union marking of an eagle and heavy use and the effects of time have worn the U.S. stamped beneath it that away. The eagle is still visible as is the US mark, but that is where this gun becomes unique. It takes a high-powered magnifier and a sharp eye to see the changes that were made by someone long ago, but they are there. I have no way of photographing an actual magnified close up, but I think if you look closely at the lock photos below, you will see how the top of the U. was carefully scraped and scratched into the shape of a C. I truly believe a Confederate Infantry Soldier carried this musket during the Civil War. The gun has all the correct markings and although it is worn down, the stock still bears the US Inspector's Cartouches that were stamped there in 1850 at Harpers Ferry Armory. Perhaps the soldier was originally with the Federal Army, but chose to join his southern brothers when the war began. The other telltale sign that this gun was used by someone other than a Union soldier is the fact that the stock bears the hand carved initials JHB. It is unlikely a union infantryman would have been allowed to deface his weapon in such a way. Doing so was frowned upon by the commanding officers of the North and would have earned the young man a rather harsh punishment in most cases. As you can see in the pictures, the rest of this rifle is in very good shape for its age and other than the ramrod, which I added because the original was missing, everything you see is original to this old infantry musket. If you want to own a piece of Civil War History that will be an absolute eye opening thrill to those fortunate enough to see it, this my friend is just what you are looking for. Please ask any questions you may have before placing an order for this rifle. I want to make certain the buyer is certain about everything before making their purchase. This gun should not have to travel more than need be. Even with the best packaging, risking something so rare and unique is not something I like to do. JM
Condition: good - antique - as found
Manufacturer: Harpers Ferry - US Armory  

Amazing - Wild Boar Stock - 1850's Muzzleloader I can honestly say in all the years that have gone by since I fell in love with my first antique gun, NOTHING has ever struck me as being as incredible or amazing as this little side by side 16 gauge muzzleloader. The shotgun itself is really just a canvas where a truly gifted artist has left a sample of his work for all to see. Every time I look at the intricate carving on this wild boar I shake my head in disbelief. How could anyone have been so talented as to carve this wondrous animal and all the other details surrounding him, and then fail to place his name on his amazing work of art? If any magazine or periodical or coffee table book ever wants the perfect example of Folk Art sculpted in wood, this my friends would be the perfect choice.
I guess I have raved long enough for now, so let me fill in a few blanks. The gun itself is sound and all original. It shows a lot of use and wear and is pitted and worn with age. The hammers work, but not well enough to ever risk firing. I can find no markings topside and I simply refuse to risk taking the gun apart in hopes of finding any. Perhaps hidden somewhere beneath the hardware a name or mark could be found, but the work is just too exceptional for me to tamper with in any way. This is a smallish sized double barrel. It measures only 39 inches tip to tail and the barrels are just 24 inches long. The gauge would be about 16 and I have based my theory that the gun is of German decent on the style of locks and other features I have seen in antique firearms made in the same era in Germany.
The bottom line? This is not a gun. Not any longer. This is a work of art and probably should be hung in some great museum for all the world to see and admire, but until someone makes that possible, or like me, hangs it on the wall to stare at in disbelief whenever I walk by, this beautiful old piece will remain available to folks like you and me. Maybe that's

Condition: Antique
Manufacturer: German - Hand Carved  

1850's Belgium SxS shotgun - Hand Carved - Gold Inlay WE ASK YOU TO PLEASE NOTE: WE CANNOT ACCEPT PAYMENTS THROUGH PAYPAL FOR ANY OF OUR ANTIQUE FIREARMS. PLEASE PAY BY CHECK OR MONEY ORDER ONLY. THANK YOU. JM

Incredible workmanship!
Rare Pecklers & Fils (Pecklers & Sons) Muzzle loading percussion double barrel hammer shotgun. Approximately a 12-gauge shotgun with a beautiful
hand carved ash or chestnut hardwood stock and the gun maker’s name applied in gold overlay onto the barrel's center rib. Yes.... I said Gold! <smile>
This is a gun I have been working on for a long time. As you'll see by reading my notes on some of the photo pages, the stock on this old beauty was all but cut in half
when I bought it. I also had to refit and re-bend two hammers as well as rebuild both lock mechanisms to get this old scattergun back into working order. This is one of those rare guns that really gets me wondering just how we
have become so far removed from the skill and the pride of workmanship that was required in order for our ancestors to make this fantastic shotgun. I think the notes I’ve included with some of the photos will explain about
everything that is important about this gun, as well as bear witness to the fact that Pecklers and his Sons were truly master gun makers. What is also interesting to note is that for a time, both generations of the Pecklers were employed by the famed gun builder, Leige of Belgium.
Leige was the best-known gun maker in the world in the early to mid 1800's and produced a great many of the guns that were used during the Civil War. This shotgun was likely
not a Civil War gun, at least not of a type one could consider as anything of standard issue, but it does carry the Leige markings and a lot of other inspection and coded stampings on the underside of the
barrels and it does pre-date that great conflict, so who can say what role it may have played in shaping the world as we know it today?
The barrels themselves are very worn, but are still easy to identify as having been made in what was called a Damascus, three iron, stub twist pattern. This pattern of Damascus barrel was one of the most difficult to make and one of the most prized for its strength and its unique look.
The ramrod is one I made to look like the type used with this gun. The shotgun was made sometime between the late 1830's and early 1840's.
The price is based on the time it took to do all the repairs that were needed, plus the cost of buying it, (even though it was a relic, the gun was still relatively expensive because parts for a shotgun like this are all but impossible to find.) and finally, because the carving done on the stock of this hammer gun is a true work of art.
To buy this wonderful antique shotgun from a high-end gun dealer, the price would undoubtedly begin somewhere upwards of five to seven thousand dollars. I don’t profess to be a high-end gun dealer and frankly I wouldn't feel right selling a gun such a high price.
Who knows, perhaps this old double barrel is an historic firearm and worth ten times the price I’ve chosen, but even if it is not some long lost and rare, high sought relic, I doubt there exists another shotgun like this anywhere and that alone makes it something very special.

No matter if you buy this old shotgun or you do not, you will surely enjoy having a look. JM

Please be ready to supply proof that you are at least 21 years of age if you plan to buy this gun. Also check your state laws regarding handguns. Remember, in the eyes of the Federal Government, this gun is a true antique and does not require all the paperwork that comes with buying a modern pistol, but some states do not agree, so check yours to be certain.

Condition: Antique - Restored
Manufacturer: Pecklers & Son Belgium  

Nice 1860's Wesley Richards 12 ga. Percussion Hammergun WE ASK YOU TO PLEASE NOTE: WE CAN NOT ACCEPT PAYMENTS THROUGH PAYPAL FOR ANY OF OUR ANTIQUE FIREARMS. PLEASE PAY BY CHECK OR MONEY ORDER ONLY. THANK YOU. JM


Here is a great looking antique muzzle loading hammergun that dates to the 1850's, yet still looks and functions very well. The gun was made by Wesley Richards and bears his name, W. Richards, on both lock plates. The center rib of the barrels is marked W. Richards, London Fine Twist and the Damascus pattern is visible though could be brought out substantially more by polishing. This is a high quality English shotgun with Birmingham proofs on the underside of the barrels. The walnut stock is in wonderful shape with no indications of ever being damaged beyond some normal use wear. The hammers are original and matched, but the right has had the spur and head cleverly repaired. The resulting repair has changed the look just slightly and seems very strong. The ramrod is not original, but looks good on the gun. Not a new shotgun by any means, but a great looking antique with a nice patina. One you can proudly add to your display.



Please note: This is a true antique, pre 1898 black powder firearm and as such is considered a collectible antique under Federal Law. Please be aware that some states have differing laws pertaining to old firearms. You are responsible to know the laws of your state of residence before purchasing this or any other antique weapon. Thank you.

Condition: antique - as found
Manufacturer: Wesley Richards