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ITEM NUMBER: AM1023_SP
Benjamin Sells Ohio Percussion Rifle
$1,400
Description
Details
Dimensions
Mid-19th century Ohio half-stock percussion rifle strongly attributed to Benjamin Sells of Georgetown, Ohio. The heavy 35-inch octagonal barrel bears a worn “B. SELLS” marking near the breech and measures approximately .36 caliber. The highly figured stock is curly or tiger maple, fitted with brass furniture and double-set triggers. Benjamin Sells came from an established Ohio River Valley gunsmithing family and was active at Georgetown during this period.
The percussion lock is marked “ATKINSON / WARRANTED” and engraved with floral decoration and a waterfowl scene. Atkinson-marked commercial locks are documented on American sporting rifles of the mid-19th century; the lock marking should not be interpreted as the maker of the complete rifle.
The buttstock carries a large engraved metal eagle inlay, marked “JRL” and dated 1857, providing compelling period evidence for the rifle's use and likely manufacture by that date.
The rifle retains its brass crescent buttplate, trigger guard, lock-bolt sideplate, wooden ramrod, blade front sight, and probable pewter fore-end cap. The stock has two grafted wood repairs—one adjacent to the lock and another at the fore-end—the age of which cannot presently be established.
Condition: Good, with repairs and mechanical issues. Barrel and lock show aged patina, oxidation, and scattered pitting. Tiger maple stock retains strong figure with normal handling wear and older grafted repairs. Hammer currently does not remain at cock; cause and internal lock condition are unknown. Not test-fired.
Date: Circa 1850s, with eagle inlay dated 1857.
Specifications: 35-inch octagonal steel barrel; approximately .36 caliber rifled bore; percussion ignition; tiger/curly maple half-stock; double-set triggers; brass furniture; probable pewter fore-end cap; Atkinson Warranted engraved lock; barrel marked B. SELLS; eagle inlay dated 1857.
The percussion lock is marked “ATKINSON / WARRANTED” and engraved with floral decoration and a waterfowl scene. Atkinson-marked commercial locks are documented on American sporting rifles of the mid-19th century; the lock marking should not be interpreted as the maker of the complete rifle.
The buttstock carries a large engraved metal eagle inlay, marked “JRL” and dated 1857, providing compelling period evidence for the rifle's use and likely manufacture by that date.
The rifle retains its brass crescent buttplate, trigger guard, lock-bolt sideplate, wooden ramrod, blade front sight, and probable pewter fore-end cap. The stock has two grafted wood repairs—one adjacent to the lock and another at the fore-end—the age of which cannot presently be established.
Condition: Good, with repairs and mechanical issues. Barrel and lock show aged patina, oxidation, and scattered pitting. Tiger maple stock retains strong figure with normal handling wear and older grafted repairs. Hammer currently does not remain at cock; cause and internal lock condition are unknown. Not test-fired.
Date: Circa 1850s, with eagle inlay dated 1857.
Specifications: 35-inch octagonal steel barrel; approximately .36 caliber rifled bore; percussion ignition; tiger/curly maple half-stock; double-set triggers; brass furniture; probable pewter fore-end cap; Atkinson Warranted engraved lock; barrel marked B. SELLS; eagle inlay dated 1857.
PERIOD: Mid 19th CenturyORIGIN: Ohio, United States
SIZE: Barrel Length - 35", Bore Size - Approximately .36 Caliber
