Antique New York Percussion Target Rifle by F.W. Jaehne .38 Cal

NSN, .38 Caliber, 29 3/4" heavy octagon barrel with a fine, bright bore that has minor freckling within the grooves. This is a handsome and well-made rifle that has a plum-brown patina along the barrel that mixes with thin freckling, as well as silvering along the edges of the barrel facets. The top of the breech is clearly marked "F.W. JAEHNE, NEW YORK" but is devoid of any other markings. A mottled gray-brown patina is present on the lock and hammer, with traces of original muted color case-hardening present on the protected areas. A period globe front sight with combination blade and target post is mated to a very robust rear barrel sight with U-notch insert. The wedge-fastened walnut stock has a solid pewter forend cap (without provision for a ramrod), and has German silver wedge escutcheons, spurred trigger guard, and Swiss style hooked buttplate. Small handling marks are scattered about the surface of the reapplied varnish and there is a 2.5-3" crack through the checkering on the left side that will need to be addressed (see photos). An elegant continental cheek-piece flows into the wrist on the left side of the butt, and the double-set triggers are fully functional with a crisp let-off. The rifle also comes with its original false muzzle. F.W. Jaehne was a New York City maker who was active from 1871 until about 1875. He was known for making schuetzen type rifles, and this example does have some schuetzen characteristics. The rifle is in very good-fine condition overall, and would make a wonderful addition to any collection of New York target rifles. Antique