Make: Lockplate marked “Moore”

Model: Custom-Built Percussion Target Rifle

Serial Number: No serial number present

Year of Manufacture: Mid-19th Century (Antique, pre-1899)

Caliber: .50 Caliber (Percussion Muzzleloader)

Action Type: Single Shot Percussion Muzzleloader with Double Set Triggers

Barrel Length: 32.5"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a low dovetailed blade. The rear sight is a fixed notch dovetailed to the top of the barrel just ahead of the breech.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a one-piece hardwood with a straight wrist and full-length forend. A brass compass is inlaid into the left side of the buttstock, though it is no longer functional. The rifle is fitted with a steel ramrod and has a full-length ramrod channel. Several cracks are present, including a long 14” crack beneath the forend, with a mix of previously repaired and unrepaired structural splits around the wrist and lock mortise. The repairs appear stable but do not meet a level that would inspire confidence for firing. German silver furniture is fitted throughout, including the buttplate, trigger guard, sideplate, and escutcheons, all showing even, dark tarnish. The wood rates in Fair condition for display or parts.

Type of Finish: In-the-white

Finish Originality: The lock and hardware appear original; the barrel may be a more recent replacement

Bore Condition: The bore is very bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no visible erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 10/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains no original finish. The 1" wide barrel flats are clean with mild patina and scattered oxidation. The lockplate is engraved and marked “MOORE.” The rear trigger must be pulled to cock the lock—functioning as a true set-trigger system. There is no half-cock position on the hammer. The screw heads show moderate handling wear but remain serviceable. This rifle rates in Fair condition overall, with solid mechanical parts offset by structural stock concerns.

Mechanics: The hammer does not have a half-cock notch. The rear set trigger must be pulled in order to cock the hammer, and only then will the front trigger fire the gun. While the lock and triggers function properly, due to cracks and repairs in the stock, this firearm should be treated as a display or parts piece unless inspected and approved for firing by a competent gunsmith.As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment: This mid-19th century percussion target rifle is a fine example of the hand-built, benchrest-style muzzleloaders that served serious marksmen throughout the 1800s. The rifle features a 32.5" heavy octagonal barrel with 1" flats, a functional set-trigger system requiring the rear trigger to cock the piece, and a notably bright .50 caliber bore with sharp rifling—suggesting the barrel may have been replaced or relined. The rear sight is correctly dovetailed to the top flat of the barrel, not the tang, and the lockplate is lightly engraved and marked “MOORE.” German silver furniture throughout adds visual appeal, and the rifle is fitted with a ramrod and full-length channel, reinforcing its purpose-built configuration.

Despite its mechanical completeness, the stock presents visible challenges. Multiple cracks—some repaired, others not—are present along the wrist, forend, and lock area. These structural issues make the rifle unsuitable for live fire unless thoroughly evaluated by a qualified gunsmith. Nevertheless, the action cycles correctly, and the set triggers work as intended.

This antique percussion rifle offers considerable value if appreciated as a display piece, a collection of original and high-quality period components, or a potential restoration project. Its excellent bore and unique set-trigger mechanics stand out, even as its worn stock reminds us of this early target rifle's long and likely well-used history.