Here's an absolutely beautiful, all original rifle from a very well known maker. The Great Western Gun Works company was founded by James Hampton Johnston in Pittsburgh. The company was founded in 1866 and operated until 1923. The company primarily produced muzzleloading arms until the late 1890s when their focused shifted to imported cartridge weapons and pistols. During the height of their muzzleloader production the company employed more than 20 gunmakers. Unlike most smaller firms, it appears that for at least the majority of the time that the company was producing muzzleloading weapons, an overwhelming majority of the components used on the guns were produced in-house rather than imported from Europe or other American-based parts suppliers. This meant that Great Western Gun Works rifles were of extremely high quality, and could easily compete with weapons produced by Leman or Hawken.
Like Hawken, Great Western Gun Works weapons were "formula arms", meaning each of their weapons was built to the same general style and specifications. There were a few different options offered for those who preferred to customize their weapons; standard fare like figured wood, fine checkering and nickle silver furniture. Prices ranged from $7.50 for simple "plains guns" to $55 for sporting rifles.
This beautiful rifle is an excellent example of one of G.W.G.W's sporting rifles. It features a whole host of upgraded features which were did not come standard on the companies' standard plains guns. The stock was carved from a beautiful piece of highly figured maple, with tiger striping running the entire length of the stock. Fine checkering was cut into the wrist, and the furniture is made from fine nickle silver (standard rifles had brass components). A beautiful patch box is finely intetted into the butt. The patch box style is unique to G.W.G.W guns, although they are are not found on plain guns. A nicely executed poured pewter nose cap was installed in the stock and the barrel features an English style "hooked breech". This rifle also features double set triggers; another feature unique to the firms more expensive guns.
The lock is marked "J.H. Johnston" indicating that this rifle was built using G.W.G.W components rather than imported pieces (some later guns feature locks made by Joseph Golcher). The hammer holds solid on full cock, and the set triggers function flawlessly. This lock does not feature a half cock, which is common for 19th Century rifles with set triggers; as the set trigger would cause the hammer to jam in the half cock position when fired.
The 33" .36 caliber barrel is in great shape with a deep, legible Great Western Gun Works makers stamp on the top breech flat. The bore is good - a bit dirty but with strong rifling.
This excellent condition rifle is a great example of America's last great muzzle loading rifle - the half stock. These rifles were made famous by companies like Leman, Hawken, and Great Western Gun Works, and they were famously carried by mountain men and pioneers who traveled west. No Old West collection is complete without one!
