Very Unusual, Possibly Unique, Swiss Percussion Short Rifle (AL5183)

Very Unusual, Possibly Unique, Swiss Percussion Short Rifle. Overall length is 37”. The approximately 20½” octagon (at the breech) to round .41 caliber barrel has an excellent rifled bore. The barrel has a lightly pitted blue patina. The barrel is marked “TG/ 709” in front of the rear sight, “Favre Brandt” in an arc to the left rear of the rear sight, “10W” to the rear of that, and “JR” under the rear sight leaf. The only other marking is “709” (same as barrel) on the right side of the butt stock. This two -band rifle appears to be a shortened version of a longer rifle. The rear sight does have the Swiss cross over “V” stamp. We’re not certain exactly how the percussion ignition system works on the gun. The bottom of the hammer is triangular shaped and there is no nipple in the “pan” area. The stock is good with issue dents and dings with an area of wood fill in the left flat. The action functions correctly with the exception that half-cock can be released by the trigger. The cleaning rod is absent and the two swivels are present. The bolt, while it looks like an afterthought with its long slender handle, is well-made with locking lugs to the rear. There is also wood fill to the front of the lock. This is a very unusual rifle deserving further research. It’s an interesting early bolt action rifle.