Lot 1212: George O. Leonard Half-Stock Percussion Target Rifle

Rifle by George O. Leonard of Keene, New Hampshire, c. 1868. The barrel is numbered "236" on the muzzle which is turned down for a starter and on the upper left at the breech along with a faint "CAST-STEEL" marking, and the upper left flat is also marked "GEO. O. LEONARD/KEENE N.H./CAST-STEEL." The forend is pewter, and the rest of the furniture is steel/iron, including the capbox which has an eagle shaped finial and the toeplate which has a Swiss style finial. The rifle is equipped with nearly full-length brass tube sight with keyhole front aperture, post front sight, round rear aperture, and "PA ALTMAIER HARRISBURG, PA.1868" on top and the same minus "1868" on the rear cap. The sight is fitted in a dovetailed mount near the muzzle and an elevation adjustable rear mount threaded into the upper tang. The rifle has adjustable double set triggers.

Very good with fading brown finish and gray and brown patina along the barrel along with some small dings, mostly smooth gray patina on the lock and furniture, some minor pitting, and generally minor overall wear. The stock is also fine and has smooth reapplied oiled finish, a faint crack extending back from the rear of the right wedge escutcheon, small chip under the hammer, and some minor flakes/slivers absent from the edges. Mechanically excellent.