This percussion rifle is a multi purpose marine rifle used by Union and Confederate forces circa 1860-1863. John Clive was a barrel maker in Birmingham in 1845 and made large quantities of barrels on a weekly basis. Clive immigrated to the U.S. in 1858 and developed a prosperous trade out of Boston out fitting ships of the line. This rifle fires a rifled slug , has a 37" barrel with four ribs running the full length and is secured by three barrel bands. The front barrel band has an integral blade sight and there is a long range folding rear sight. The iron ram rod is secured in a solid pipe mounted under the barrel. There are no visible markings and the stock (no forearm) is metal skeletonized with checkering on the wrist area.

Fine. The retains strong original bright finish in the protected areas around the ribs while the remaining metal surfaces have a dark brown patina. There is some minor pitting on the stock and the checkering remains sharp. The percussion nipple is a replacement and is excellent. The action is tight as new. A very rare, unique multi purpose marine rifle.