Original 19th Century U.S. Double Barreled Cape Percussion Combination Gun Made in Lansingburgh, NY - Circa 1850

Item DescriptionOriginal Item: One of a kind. A combination gun is typically a firearm that usually has one rifled barrel and one smoothbore barrel, that is typically used with shot or some type of shotgun slug. While more modern styles utilizing cartridges were 'over and under' designs, during the percussion era, most of these were side by side. Having ammunition ready for several different types of game definitely had its advantages.This is a lovely well-used example of a 'Cape Gun', a side-by-side version of a combination gun that were typically European in origin, however this example was made in the United States. These were at one time popular in Southern Africa, particularly the cape region, where a wide variety of game could be encountered. This is how they acquired their moniker, which continued in use even after they became more wide spread. While the British style of combination gun usually had the rifled barrel on the left side, the German and Austrian cape guns have the rifled barrel on the right side, which is fired by the front trigger. The front trigger is usually a set trigger as well, to be used with the rifled barrel.This American made example fits the pattern very well, and like the German/Austrian examples has a 30 bore smoothbore fowling barrel on the left, and a 0.43' rifled barrel on the right, which are just about the same size externally. The tops of the barrels are marked with the maker name and address:-???????AKER LANSINGBURGH N.Y. E. HUTCHINGS & Co AGENTS BALTIMORELansingburgh is an area on the Hudson river north of Albany, which had several notable gunmakers in operation during the mid 19th century. Based on the style and presence of the word 'maker' in the marking, we believe this to be the work of John M. Caswell (1777-1857), a known maker from that area. Unfortunately the area further towards the breech is too worn to make any kind of definitive attribution. E. Hutchings & Co. is a known distributor and outfitter in Baltimore, who marked the gun for retail sale. We checked under the barrel assembly, and there were just a few unidentified markings under the barrel.The gun is definitely an upmarket example, and has beautiful engraved nickel silver mountings, including a fantastic spring loaded patch box, which is opened by pressing a button on the bottom of the butt stock. The box cover has some lovely game fowl engraving, and there is additional game fowl on the ornate 'pistol grip' style trigger guard. The rest of the fittings have lovely acanthus leaf motifs, and there is a 'hunter's star' on the cheek piece of the left side of the but stock. The top of the barrel is fitted with a simple ball front sight in the middle for the shotgun side, and the right barrel has a notch rear sight and blade front sight for the rifled side.The left side lock for the fowler is fully functional, holding at half cock, firing at full, while the right side lock for the rifle is functional, but will fire immediately when set to full cock. It has a 'single set trigger', which looks to be out of adjustment at present. The cap nipple cones are in very good shape, though definitely look to be replacements, with the left side not quite threading in all the way. We checked the bores, and the smoothbore barrel looks to have been thoroughly cleaned recently, possibly even honed on the interior, and is in great shape. The rifled barrel is also in great shape, showing a bright finish with clear 8 groove rifling. It does not look to have seen much use during its service life.The gun has a lovely walnut half-stock, which shows a great color and grain, with the previously mentioned cheek piece on the left side. There are pipes for a ramrod under the barrel assembly, and in this case there is a lovely brass-fitted ramrod present, which definitely looks to be original. The top unscrews to reveal a clearing worm under the brass ramming end.A lovely example of a Victorian Era hunting gun, made in the United States and most likely retailed to a Well Off resident of the Baltimore, MD area. Ready to research and display!Specifications-Year of Manufacture: circa 1850Shotgun Caliber: 30 Bore - about 0.537'Rifle Caliber: 0.43' with 8 groove riflingCartridge Type: Lead Shot/ball and PowderBarrel Length: 32 3/4 InchesOverall Length: 48 1/2 InchesAction type: Side Action Percussion LocksFeed System: Muzzle LoadingNOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.Shipping RestrictionsThis product is not available for shipping in US state(s): New JerseyThis product is available for international shipping.Payment OptionsNot eligible for payment with Paypal or AmazonLegal InformationIMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.These antique guns are not sold in 'live' condition, and are not tested for the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as 'wall hangers' not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.