Pattern 1856 Volunteer Rifle by George Gibbs of Bristol

Pattern 1856 Volunteer Rifle by George Gibbs of Bristol

Pattern 1856 Volunteer Rifle by George Gibbs of Bristol. A best quality early Pattern 1856 type two band percussion volunteer rifle with break off breech and key retained barrel by George Gibbs of Bristol. The lock signed to the front of the hammer GEORGE GIBBS. Walnut stock. Three groove key retained Minnie rifled barrel with an excellent bore. Ladder rear sight graduated to 1100 yards. The top of the barrel signed to the rear GEORGE GIBBS 29 CORN St BRISTOL and .577 GOVt BORE to the front of the rear sight. Blade foresight and bayonet boss with P56 type forward extension mortice to the front right. An early pattern two band .577” rifle still retaining the barrel keys of the Patt 1851 military rifle made by one of the most famous and best match rifle makers of the day, this rifle is made to the highest standards.Built to meet the regulations governing the military match shooting rules of the Victorian Volunteer movement such as the use of the .577” government round and a bayonet bar this rifle would have been purchased by a well to do Volunteer prepared to pay for the best rifle available to him at the time for these popular shooting competitions. In very good condition with good bore and mechanics. A very nice and rare example of a regulation .577” Volunteer service / match rifle by the arguably the best maker of such arms of the day.

This rifle is reputably one of two known to be used in the University match between Oxford & Cambridge