Unique Break-Open Approximately .35 Rimfire Hunting Rifle (AL5026)

Unique break-open approximately .35 Rimfire hunting rifle. Hunting rifle by C. Roth, Wilkes-Barre, PA (Charles Roth, Jr. was a Wilkes-Barre gunsmith, circa 1840-1877). He is known for percussion half stock and swivel breech rifles. This unusual rifle has a 29⅝” octagon barrel with an excellent bore. Lock is a U.S. model 1840 by D. Nippes, Mill Creek, PA, dated 1847. The percussion style hammer was made by Roth to strike a ball which is the end of the rimfire firing pin. Interestingly, when the ball is rotated back and up, it serves as a rudimentary safety. The break-open action is secured by a top strap with a notch on the left and a projection (tab) on the right. There is a manual sling extractor on the right-side of the barrel. The barrel is marked C. Roth on the top flat. Overall, metal is fine with a smooth brown patina. Brass trigger guard and butt plate are fine. The German silver forend tip and break-open protectors are very good. Stocks are fine with no cracks or chips. The action functions correctly. This fine and interesting rifle is a great example of the ingenuity of a 19th century gunsmith. This a truly unusual design. You won’t find another.