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UK Park Rifle

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Feltwad

45 Cal.
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Acquired a single barrel percussion rifle with a 30 inch octangle barrel in 40 cal what here in the UK is known has a park rifle
Feltwad
 

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That's a really good looking rifle Feltwad. Do you know the rate of twist?

Does the term "Park rifle" stem from some form of intended use?
 
Acquired a single barrel percussion rifle . . .
Nice! I have a similar English sporting rifle by Harvey of Exeter and Plymouth. The overall length of the rifle is 41”, with a barrel of 25.5” including breech plug. Bore size is about .52”, with 7 wide grooves and narrow lands. The rifle has a single set trigger, leaf rearsight and an ivory or bone foresight dovetailed into the barrel.

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John Harvey established his business in Exeter c1790. His son, also John, was established in Plymouth c1830; he died in 1842 aged 38 and by 1850 the Plymouth premises had closed. John Harvey (senior) passed away on 4th April 1850, aged 84. By this time he had given his second son, William James Harvey, all of his tools as a gunsmith. William continued the business under his own name and died in 1873, aged 67. The Executors for William’s estate disposed of the business to Arthur Agnew. Trading under the name Agnew & Son, and as late as 1883 their newspaper advertising still referred to ‘Late W.J. Harvey’; a reflection perhaps of the esteem with which the original business had come to be regarded that it remained worthwhile retaining the link with their predecessor. The rifle bears Plymouth on the lock and likely dates from the 1840s.

David
 
Enclosed more close up images The gun is by Gasquoine & Dyson and about 45 cal wish 6 narrow groves and two full twists . The name Park Rifle derives from their use in large country estates walled parks for control of vermin and deer etc
Feltwad

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For them furriners for whom the term 'park rifle' is unfamiliar, please Google Weston Park - a typical park of the 1700's. The tall exterior walls that more often than not totally surround the estate are typical of the genre. The gatekeeper's lodge is usually one of only one or two entrance points, to keep out the oiks like me.
 
Would you look at that checkering on the stock! Feltwad, it’s really beautiful, but do you plan to ever fire it?
 
English pistols are hardly ugly & revolvers where not made for pretty . Just use & they don't seem ugly to me . Standing up for such guns.
Rudyard
As well you should. I once created a DAO self defense revolver for a younger widow who had nothing else and that tuned up Enfield served well indeed.
I’m not sure I know why I included the British efforts at pistols. They were elegant and up to any standard around the world. I was probably thinking of cartridge pistols.
In terms of revolvers? Yeah, sorry. Nothing comes close to the percussion Colts after oh, say, about 1859 or so? And then in the cartridge realm the Open tops and later P series (all of the SAA variants.) are just untouchable.

Great and serviceable efforts to be sure but nothing else anywhere comes close.
 
Dear Bad Carma . Im'e not sure what a SAA is don't really get into cartridge ones . I do like the Navy Colt & have a Manhatten copy of Colts only probably better and I like both anyway. But then I like pepperboxes and transsisional revolvers .British ones at least ,Never got offered any others .
Regards Rudyard
 
I used to have a 20b almost identicle by Parkhouse of Taunton. The sort that would have been used on Exe/Dartmoor for Reds. Used to win some medals at 100yds.Wish I'd never sold it,but then it did take me to a World Champs.. Love to find it again. OLD DOG..
 
Dear Bad Carma . Im'e not sure what a SAA is don't really get into cartridge ones . I do like the Navy Colt & have a Manhatten copy of Colts only probably better and I like both anyway. But then I like pepperboxes and transsisional revolvers .British ones at least ,Never got offered any others .
Regards Rudyard
Sorry, ventured into forbidden territory with that reference Rudyard. ( Colts Model 1873 Peacemaker, Single Action Army.) it’s just not as elegant as the 1860 Colt Army.
 
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