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- Sale 1352
Timed
Closing from:Dec 8 | 10:00 PM EST
Timed
Sale 1352
Estimate$1,000 – $3,000
.56 caliber. 32.5" heavy octagonal barrel, 1" across the flats. Blued and browned finish, iron furniture, pewter nose cap. Fully restored single shot percussion muzzleloading plains rifle with double set triggers. Top barrel flat marked F LUNSMAN in an arc over ST. LOUIS MO. Only the barrel and hammer are period pieces, the balance of the gun is completely newly made, including the under rib of the barrel and the ramrod pipes. The modern lock with double set triggers is lightly scroll engraved and the entire gun is put together to resemble the classic plains rifles of the Hawken Brothers and their contemporaries, down to the scroll shaped triggerguard extension. The buckhorn rear sight and German silver Rocky Mountain front sight blade both appear to be contemporary as well. Francis Lunsman worked in St. Louis, MO from circa 1848 to 1870, initially at 105 South 2nd Street and later (after 1854) at 122 South 2nd Street. Stockel lists him as a "gunmaker", but he may have been a retailer instead. Interestingly this St. Louis "maker" is not listed in Sellers' American Gunsmiths or James B Gordon's Great Gun Makers for the Early West. This suggests that Lunsman was in fact a retailer who marked the work of the numerous gunmakers in St. Louis who provided him guns for sale. While not a complete and original historical piece, the gun displays very well and is a nice opportunity to obtain an original St. Louis barrel on a wonderful restoration that would be either a great display piece above the mantle without paying 10 times as much for a real Hawken or for the use of a Mountain Man reenactor to use for living histories and potentially for shooting matches as well.
Fine as restored. Retains some old blue on the barrel with the balance of the gun retaining nearly all of the modern browned finish. Mechanically functional, very good bore with fine rifling and some scattered oxidation and light pitting. Stock nearly new (because it is) with some lightly scattered bumps and dings.
The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue description or a condition report shall not amount to a full accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Freeman's staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the Department prior to bidding.
The absence of a posted condition report on the Freeman's website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Freeman's.
Please email [email protected] for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.
To request further details about this lot, please email [email protected]
Tim Carey
Associate Vice President, Head of Department, Arms, Armor and Militaria
Ms. Emma Fulmer
ATF Manager, Senior Coordinator, Arms, Armor & Militaria
For questions about shipping or packing, please contact [email protected] or see our Shipping/Packing page.
CA, NJ, NY Buyers - Due to state laws, Cowan's only ships firearms to licensed FFL dealers.
International Buyers - Cowan's does not ship firearms internationally. Please make an arrangement with an exporter.
