September 20th 2015 Premier Firearms Sale
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/19/2015
51" barrel, .50bore-percussionThis is an American made single shot percussion rifle, full stock with a 51” full heavy octagon barrel weighing over 30 pounds. The lock is signed W. D. Willis, Mr. Willis custom built this target rifle during the 1950s. It is custom rifle that features a carving of a mountain man holding this rifle. The left side plate has a carving of the California bear. The stock is decorated with scroll carvings and has a cheek piece, has striped finish, there are silver plated brass star on left side. Has a plated heavy wrap around butt plate. Has a plated brass trigger guard with double set triggers. Has 4 plated rod thimbles, plated brass for end tip. Sights include a long range tang sight (slightly bent needs to be heated and straightened). Has an adjustable barrel mounted rear target sight, has a dove tail front sight with the blade missing and has a scope block mounted directly behind sight. But no other holes in barrel for a rear mount and appears the rear mount would have been placed in the existing holes that are used to attach the rear sight. The barrel and lock are a smooth brown patina, the nickel plated brass hard ware is thinning in spots and remains at about 50% over all. The stock retains virtually all of its piano varnish finish with the usual abrasions but no cracks, but there are a couple of usual impressions. Has an excellent bore and has an extremely impressive 6 and one half feet long heavy barrel. W. D. Willis reside in Atica Indiana and he loved to build rifles and steam engines in his workshop. A copy of a 1964 article of Willis accompanies this fine custom target rifle.