Make: Samuel Buckley & Co., Birmingham trade
Model: Percussion Single Sporting Rifle
Serial#: K2740
Year of Manufacture: Circa late 19th Century
Caliber: 8 bore, .850
Action Type: Single Shot, muzzleloading percussion rifle, with double set triggers.
Barrel Length: 33" Octagon
Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a replacement beaded blade dovetailed into the barrel. The rear sight is a fixed V notch dovetailed into the barrel.
Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The stock is one piece checkered walnut, bone capped forend, three ramrod pipes, straight grip, straight comb, and smooth brass buttplate. The LOP is 14" and 15 1/4" from triggers to buttplate. Finish has been added. There are scratches and compression dents throughout. There is some light cracking around the lockplate and behind the breechplug. There is chipped wood around the ramrod channel. There is receded wood behind the rear tang. Overall this stock is in Good condition for Antique.
Type of Finish: Damascus Finished Iron, Silver Washed Brass.
Finish Originality: Original metal, Stock Finished Enhanced
Bore Condition: The bore is gray. The rifling is well defined. There is light corrosion throughout. In this writer's opinion this bore rates 7/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 70% of its original metal finish. There is handling and operational wear. There is some pitting around the nipple. There are scratches and scattered tool marks. The screw heads are tooled but serviceable. The markings are legible. The firing channel is clear but the nipple is plugged. Overall this rifle is in Good condition for Antique.
Mechanics: The lock functions correctly though the nipple needs replacement. The double set trigger works and is adjusted to only trip when set. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used guns a full cleaning may be necessary to meet your standards.
Box Paperwork and Accessories: None
Our Assessment: Samuel Buckley & Co. was a substantial Birmingham trade concern active during the height of the British sporting-arms industry. Samuel Buckley served on the Birmingham Proof House Committee and was elected to the board of the Birmingham Small Arms Company in 1863, while surviving sporting arms marked "Samuel Buckley & Co." are known to have been produced within the broader Birmingham trade, including examples made by firms such as William Powell. Reference works also identify Samuel Buckley & Co. as a maker or retailer whose name appeared on arms assembled from components supplied by established Birmingham manufacturers. This massive 8-bore percussion sporting rifle, with its 33" octagonal Damascus barrel, double-set triggers, long walnut stock, and substantial furniture, represents the impressive large-bore muzzleloading sporting-rifle tradition of the Victorian era.
This example retains about 70% of its original metal finish, with scattered scratches, tool marks, handling and operational wear, and localized pitting around the nipple. The silver-washed brass furniture shows appropriate age and wear, while the walnut stock has received additional finish and displays scattered scratches, compression dents, light cracking around the lockplate and breechplug, chipped wood along the ramrod channel, and recessed wood behind the rear tang. The gray .850" bore retains well-defined rifling with light corrosion and rates 7/10. The lock functions correctly, though the plugged nipple requires replacement before the ignition system can be considered serviceable. With its enormous bore, long Damascus barrel, double-set triggers, and classic English sporting configuration, this is an imposing and highly distinctive antique percussion rifle. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids!
