This lot includes a fantastic example of an early Western Hawken style .50 Caliber percussion rifle, crafted by Richard Jennings from Cleveland, Ohio. It is interesting to note that Cleveland, Ohio is located just offshore from Lake Erie - A popular 'starting off point' and supply area for those travelers originating from the Northeast, and setting off for the Frontier West in the 1840-60 period. According to Donald Hutslar's book, "Gunsmiths of Ohio", Richard Jennings was known for his half-stock percussion rifles, beginning in 1848. This rifle is no doubt an early example of Mr. Jennings fine firearms, taken as a direct example of the style demanded by mountain men, fur trappers, and gold seekers of the time who needed to cross the dangerous, game filled plains. These rifles were crafted with big game in mind, designed to take down creatures as small as antelope and deer, and as large as elk, Grizzly, and Great American Bison. The rifles were constructed in such a way that the additional weight not only helped with recoil, but also provided durability of the large caliber shot, and the massive black powder charges that accompanied them. The barrel on this rifle is 1 1/4" thick from flat-flat, and was again not only constructed for durability, but the thicker barrel walls meant that the firearm would heat up much slower than thin walled barrels. This rifle has many awesome features, simply starting with its 14.5 LB makeup, the rifle has a full octagon 36" x 1 1/4" barrel, original rear buckhorn sight, and a silver blade front sight, a well-functioning double-set trigger, with a beautiful Hawken style brass trigger guard, an attractive pewter fore-end tip, a stylized cheek piece with brass animal motif inlay, a lightly engrave hammer and sideplate, a walnut stock with a heavy curved brass crescent butt-plate, and multiple brass accoutrements, including the threw screw plates, and the ramrod tip, and base. Additionally, the rifles barrel is held to the stock via a single wedge. Overall, this rifle shows great condition for age, there is a period repair to the delicate wrist of the rifle, using a curved brass plate to secure the stock of the rifle to the tang of the barrel. All of the metal surfaces on the rifle show a soft brown patina, and the walnut stock shows no signs of sanding or refinishing. The rifle is marked only in one place, reading; "R. Jennings - Cleveland, OHIO", on the top of the barrel - Ussually only the best quality rifles would showcase the gunsmiths signature who proudly crafted the piece - This rifle easily falls into that category, and would be the centerpiece of any fur trapping, frontier, or Western firearms collection. This rifle qualifies as an Antique Long Gun. For a complete representation of condition and for additional images please call 800-686-4216. It is the buyer