Forsyth Double Barrel Rifle
TITLE: Forsyth Double Barrel Rifle
MAKER: Forsyth & Company
MADE IN: London, England
CALIBER: .68 Caliber
DATE: 1840-1870
DIMENSIONS: Barrel: 27 ½” Length: 44 ½” Height: 7”
INSCRIPTION:Serial Number 4007 / Barrel: FORSYTH & CO. PATENT GUN MAKERS LONDON. 2 symbols, 16. Action Area (left side): FORSYTH & CO PATENT. Hammer: fish. Action Area (right side): FORSYTH & CO.
CREDIT LINE: Guns from the Browning-Cowan Family
OBJECT ID: 986-12-040
Alexander Forsyth (1769–1843) invented the percussion lock, a type of action which ignites the primer with a sharp blow from a falling hammer. This invention avoided the danger of exposed sparks, which came from igniting guns that used the earlier flintlock system.