244. Rare New York Rigby style Creedmoor long-range sporting rifle by Homer Fisher and Edwin Phillips
About .46 cal percussion, 33" barrel with a good bore which shows strong evident rifling with light pitting it's full-length. The barrel is now primarily a deep plum brown patina with light oxidation sparsely scattered and pitting in the area of the patent breech. There is a windage adjustable globe style front sight fitted with interchangeable inserts and the plain iron tang wears a long-range Rigby style sight. The barrel shows two drilled and tapped holes and is marked "H.Fisher N.Y." and "E. Phillips/cast steel/New York". There are numerous tool marks visible when the barrel is removed on both the barrel and breech hook and bolster; there are two drilled and tapped holes atop the barrel. The unadorned lockplate is a gray patina as is the hammer, the hammer showing some very light pinprick pitting. There is a simple triggerguard with the triggerplate showing a lightly sculpted front extension and the barrel is keyed to the stock with a single wedge through simple iron oval escutcheons. The stock appears to be English walnut and rates very good with checkered forend and grip showing good original varnish and overall light dings and handling marks, there is a thin sliver missing beneath the bolster. The butt is fitted with an unmarked checkered hard rubber buttplate and a rear-mounted sight seat for long-range shooting. The lock has full and half-cock notches and currently will not hold on half cock. The stock is cracked at the right of upper tang, the original piece has been re-affixed. Really a very rare rifle, undoubtedly the work of Homer Fisher who was active in New York City from 1859 to 1875. Sources are unsure as to whether this man was Homer or Henry or if he was a gunsmith at all or just a dealer in arms. A nearly identical arm is pictured on page 160 of The New York State Firearms Trade by Swinney & Rowe which is marked by Fisher; Swinney states of these rifles: "They are almost unknown to collectors". While it appears as though Edwin Phillips' claim to fame was the heavy barrel single shot bench rifle without forends. Perhaps this was his barrel which was utilized by Homer or perhaps Edwin really did build the gun and Homer was merely the retailer. In any event these American-made British-style Creedmoor rifles are extremely rare and seldom seen; this example deserves some minor attention by a competent gunsmith who could bring it back to its former glory. (35006-26) {ANTIQUE} [Bill Brundage Collection] (3000/5000)
SOLD FOR $2587.50 |
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