Civil War Rifled Musket model 1855. Springfield C1858 The model 1855 percussion musket was produced by both Harpers Ferry Armory and Springfield Armory, during the years from 1857 to 1861. Total number of these early rifled barrel long-arms was 59,273. Of that number Springfield Armory produced slightly over 47 thousand and Harper's Ferry a little over 12 thousand of this model. Having a 40 inch round, 58 caliber, rifled barrel, the model 1855 was responsible for a drastic change in the accuracy and the distance the previous military muskets could provide. The front sight also doubles as lug for an angular bayonet.
The gun's metal parts were finished to bright, bare iron and the most notable change from earlier rifles were the rifled barrel and the incorporation of the Maynard Priming System. The Mynard system used a roll of caps much like you may have used in a favorite cap gun as a child. The idea was revolutionary, but the problem was that the caps always seemed to be too damp to ignite. Even after additional improvements to the cap primers were made, they continued to fail so often that most soldiers dismantled the inner mechanism and went back to using the copper nipple caps. Even with its problems, the model 1855 was by far the most used gum in the Civil War and wasa the staple arm of the both north ands south. For all its failings, this was still the most accurate gun of its day and it was the first U.S. martial arm that fired the Minie bullet in 58 caliber. I'll let the photos describe this well worn, but very cool old musket.
Circa: 1858
Condition: used antique. good
Color: age patina
Country of Origin: US
Manufacturer: Springfield Armory
Author: Union Army
Edition: 1  

1850's SxS shotgun. Best Carved Stock. Wild Boar 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 muzzle-loader. 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.

FREE Shipping to the lower 48
NOTE: PayPal and Google can not be used to pay for any antique firearms.
Circa: 1850's
Condition: used antique
Color: patina and old wood
Country of Origin: BE
Manufacturer: Leige
Author: Leige
Edition: 1  

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  

Fine Antique SxS Percussion Shotgun C 1850's - Leige 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

A real nice looking antique double barrel percussion Hammer Gun made and marked by Leige of Belgium, dating to the mid 1850's. This fine old shotgun has Damascus style Two Iron Twist Barrels, is in tight, solid condition and bears numerous marks, including the famed Leige of Belgium circle and some initials that could perhaps be a clue to the owner's name. The mechanisms are in very good working condition and the barrels are smooth with a nice brown age patina. The gun appears to have its original ramrod, and fits into the keeper channel freely. The lock plates, hammers, tang and breech all have very intricate scroll engravings and various hunting scenes and the walnut stock in absolutely beautiful. Even the trigger guard has a finely detailed elk hand engraved on the loop. A really fine old black powder Percussion Double Barrel in good looking and working condition for someone to add to their collection.
Condition: antique - good
Manufacturer: Leige of Belgium  

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

FREE Shipping to the lower 48

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.

Circa: 1850
Condition: Antique - Restored
Country of Origin: BE
Manufacturer: Pecklers & Son Belgium
Author: Peckler
Edition: 1