Up until the 1830s, firearms were used sparingly in everyday life—handmade by individual artisans, guns were primarily luxury items or exercised for military combat. The typical firearm was a flintlock long arm, which fired a round musket ball with black powder. Growing demand necessitated the emergence of independent gunsmiths, who grew their operations and established “manufactories.” These forerunners of the industrial age harnessed water power (and later steam) to drive their machinery and produce firearms that catered to the growing number of frontier trading companies and emigrants heading west.
Spencer Model 1865 Carbine with Sling
TITLE: Spencer Model 1865 Carbine with Sling MAKER: Spencer Repeating Rifle Company MADE IN: Boston, MA CALIBER:...
Sharps Model 1859 Carbine
TITLE: Sharps Model 1859 Carbine MAKER: Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Company MADE IN: Hartford, MA CALIBER: .50 Caliber DATE: ca. 1859 DIMENSIONS: Barrel: 22” Length: 39” Height: 7 ¼” INSCRIPTION: Serial Number 60350 / Action Area: S. LAWRENCE / PATENTED /...
U.S. Springfield Model 1873 Trapdoor Rifle
TITLE: U.S. Springfield Model 1873 Trapdoor Rifle MAKER: Springfield Arms Company MADE IN: Springfield, MA CALIBER: .450 Caliber DATE: .45-70 Cartridge DIMENSIONS: Barrel: 28” Length: 44 ¾” Height: 6 ¾” INSCRIPTION:Serial Number 467569 / Barrel: VP / eagle head...
Smith Percussion Carbine
TITLE: Smith Percussion Carbine MAKER: American Machine Works MADE IN: Springfield, MA CALIBER: .50 Caliber DATE: ca....
Sharps New Model 1863 Rifle
TITLE: Sharps New Model 1863 Rifle MAKER: Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Co. MADE IN: Hartford, CT CALIBER: .52 Caliber...
Boicourt Plains Percussion Rifle
TITLE: Boicourt Plains Percussion Rifle MAKER: Thomas Boicourt MADE IN: Madison, IN CALIBER: .50 Caliber DATE:...
Over-Under Rifle
TITLE: MAKER: American Maker MADE IN: Unknown CALIBER: .59 Caliber DATE: 1840-1859 DIMENSIONS: 39 ½” Length: 55...
Pattern 1800 Baker Rifle
TITLE: Pattern 1800 Baker Rifle MAKER: Backer & Negus MADE IN: London, England CALIBER: .69 Caliber DATE: 1802 DIMENSIONS: Barrel: 29 ½” Length: 46” Height: 6” INSCRIPTION: Serial Number (N/A) / Action Plate: 1802 / heart shape designs with an X and...
Pennsylvania Flintlock Rifle
TITLE: Pennsylvania Flintlock Rifle MAKER: German Gunsmith MADE IN: Lancaster, PA CALIBER: .45 Caliber DATE: ca. 1700s DIMENSIONS: Barrel: 44 ¼” Length: 60 ½” Height: 8” INSCRIPTION:Serial Number (N/A) / Action Area (left side): Diamond etching. Action Area...
Davis Gray Flintlock Long Rifle
TITLE: Davis Gray Flintlock Long Rifle MAKER: Davis Gray MADE IN: Lancaster, PA CALIBER: .34 Caliber DATE: 1700s DIMENSIONS: Barrel: 41 ¼ Length: 57 ½” Height: 9 ¼” INSCRIPTION:Serial Number (N/A) / Barrel: + DAVIS GRAY +. Action Area: 2 pheasants, G. Goulcher. ...