Percussion rifle
Philo Soper
Category
Arms and armour
Date
1866
Materials
Iron, Silver alloy, Wood
Measurements
1035 mm (L); 604 mm (L)
Place of origin
Canada
Order this imageCollection
Dyrham, Gloucestershire
NT 452124
Summary
A short percussion rifle by Philo Soper (1849 -1867) gunmaker of London, Ontario, Canada. The lock is by gunlock maker Joseph Golcher of Philadelphia, Pennsylvannia.
Full description
A short percussion rifle by Philo Soper (1849 -1867) gunmaker of London, Ontario, Canada. The lock is by gunlock maker Joseph Golcher of Philadelphia, Pennsylvannia. This high quality rifle was almost certainly made for target shooting. A small card, contained in the patchbox, has a hand-written note stating that this rifle was purchased by CPB (Charles Pye Blathwayt) in London, Canada in 1866. The iron parts of the gun are heavily rusted and the butt and part of the trigger guard have broken away from the rest of the stock. Heavy octagonal iron barrel, rifled with 6 grooves, and constructed with a false-breech. The breech is engraved and is inset with a silver metal band. There is an under-rib with 2 ramrod pipes. A short section at the muzzle is rounded which is intended for attaching a false-muzzle. The barrel top flat is stamped P. SOPER 351, LONDON C.W. (Canada West). The rear of the barrel has an adjustable sight while a removable lolipop-shaped rear aperature sight can also be used. This was inserted into a hole cut into the engraved barrel tang. The muzzle has a bead foresight set on a dovetailled cross-piece. Retained to the stock by 1 barrel slide. Wooden ramrod. Barrel length 63cm. Calibre 10mm. Highly figured walnut half stock, chequered at the wrist and formed with a cheek piece (or rest) on the left side of the butt. This is inset with a white metal decorative inlay. The right side of the butt is inset with a decorative white metal patch box. Engraved iron furniture comprises; a deeply curved buttplate and a trigger guard with scroll finger rest. The fore-end cap is of white metal. It has an adjustable set or hair trigger. Engraved percussion lock signed JOSH. GOLCHER. The lock is retained to the stock by 1 sidenail. Overall length: 103.5cm Source/References: E. Heer, Der Neue Stockel, Switzerland 1978 R.E.Gardener, Small Arms Makers, USA 1953
Provenance
Written on small card found in patchbox: "bought by GPB in London, Can 1866" (Charles Pye Blathwayt 1828-1920). Indigenous collection purchased by Ministry of Works in 1956 and given to Dyrham Park in 1961
Marks and inscriptions
Barrel: P.Soper 351, London C.W. Lock: Josh Golcher
Makers and roles
Philo Soper, gunsmith
References
Heer, 1978: Eugene Heer, Der Neue Stockel: 3 Volumes