F.W. Kessler Breechloading Shotgun/Rifle

F.W. Kessler breechloading shotgun with an extra set of combination shotgun and rifle barrels. The shotgun barrels are 16 gauge, 65mm chambers, 31 5/8" long, of fine Damascus with gold inlay on the rib at the breech and the maker's name and town inlaid in gold. Both barrels have minimum choke and could be considered equivalent to an improved cylinder. The combination barrels are 16 gauge, 65mm chamber and the rifled barrel appears to correspond to the 10.75x65mm Collath cartridge used in drillings of this era. The action is of the forend lever type and is unusual in that it cocks the gun on a swinging lever to open, as well as puts the gun on safe. The gun is of the hammerless type and in some ways resembles the earlier needle guns. The gun has double triggers. The gun is nicely engraved and Gold inlaid. The stock has the pistol grip and cheek piece and is of an overall high quality. F.W. Kessler was a gunmaker in Suhl, Germany and made fine guns from 1850-1875. He obtained a patent on a breechloading gun in the 1870's. This gun may be one of Kessler's own designs. Additional information: This hammerless action is usually credited to the Englishman George Henry Daw. While Daw had several gun patents, none for this action have been found. Usually, the guns built on this action had an underlever immediately ahead of the trigger guard that retracted a bolt or pin that locked the barrels closed. In this gun, it uses a Jones underlever, very popular at that time. Kessler did not design the gun but used Daws hammerless design and coupled it with the very reliable jones underlever. At that time most makers produced guns on demand and seldom were any two alike, therefore there is no model name or number to go with the gun. Cisco’s has additional firearms in the Gallery post 1896. Call for itemized catalog.

Cisco's has additional firearms in the Gallery post 1896. Call for itemized catalog.