C. Curry Retailer Marked Leman Heavy Barrel Percussion Rifle

.56 caliber. 33" heavy octagon wedge retained barrel. SN: NSN. Browned finish, iron mountings, smooth straight-gripped hardwood stock altered from full to half stock configuration with raised cheek rest. Single screw, back action percussion lock is marked in two lines "H.E. LEMAN/LANCASTER PA", is lightly engraved and equipped with double set triggers. Percussion hammer appears to be an old, period of use replacement. Top flat of barrel with barely legible Leman maker mark, the words "MADE FOR" in a ribbon and "CHS CURRY". Heavy barrel with German silver and gold bands at the breech measures 1.14" across the flats at the muzzle, with the muzzle turned round for about .125", most likely for use with a bullet starter. Breech plug tang terminates in a socket for a peep sight, now missing. A crude fixed notch rear sight is dovetailed into the barrel 8" from the breech and the brass Rocky Mountain dovetailed front sight blade appears to be an old, period of use replacement. Iron furniture includes a crescent buttplate, plain toe plate, and finger extension triggerguard with spur. Rifle appears to have originally be a full stock gun that was shortened to half stock configuration during the period of use, cut back roughly 21" with a crude pewter nose cap added, secured by nails. An under lug has been added to the barrel with two plain iron pipes, securing a brass tipped wood ramrod. This heavy barrel rifle was apparently originally a target gun that was altered to a Plains Rifle configuration during the period of use. The large bore gun would be capable of taking the most dangerous of game, including bear. The firm of C. Curry & Co. was a San Francisco based retailer who sold arms from all the major makers ranging from Colt and Remington to Deringer and Leman, as well as arms imported from England and Belgium. The firm operated from from 1852-1863 and was succeeded by N. Curry who also produced and retailed derringer pistols.

The Collection of Larry Ness

Good. Metal moderately oxidized scattered surface roughness and some pitting, primarily around the breech and bolster area. Lock mechanically functional, but could use some adjustment. Percussion hammer and screw replaced. Bore fair to good with moderate pitting and strong rifling. Stock period shortened and modified, wedge replaced with a large, crude key and forend cap replaced. Stock with moderate wear, with some wood loss and gapping around the lock, an old chip out of the toe inside the toe plate, and repaired cracks through the lock screw and running along the outer portion of the reverse wrist. Otherwise with scattered bumps, dings and mars. Rear sight an old replacement, as is front sight, peep sight missing.

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Frontier Firearms from the Lifetime Collection of Larry Ness

C. Curry Retailer Marked Leman Heavy Barrel Percussion Rifle

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