
This auction has ended. View lot details
You may also be interested in


Lot 5284ANTIQUE
An American half-stock percussion rifle by Joseph TonksBoston, 3rd quarter 19th century
8 June 2015, 10:00 PDT
San FranciscoSold for US$2,340 inc. premium
Looking for a similar item?
Our Arms and Armour specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.
Find your local specialistAsk about this lot


Client Services (Los Angeles)

Client Services (San Francisco)
An American half-stock percussion rifle by Joseph Tonks
Boston, 3rd quarter 19th century
Boston, 3rd quarter 19th century
The 29 inch browned, two-stage ribbed barrel with eight groove rifling in .45 caliber; German silver fore-sight; adjustable rear sight. Casehardened patent breech. Tang drilled for peep sight, now missing. Casehardened sidelock signed Joseph Tonks, Maker/Boston. Double triggers. German silver furniture including lower ramrod thimble, fore-end cap, wedge escutcheons, pierced sideplate, scrolling triggerguard, buttplate, patchbox and cruciform panel inlaid in cheekpiece. Half-stock of dark, partly figured walnut. Brass-tipped ramrod.
Condition: Very good to fine. Barrel retains much original browned finish showing even thinning. Breech and lock with smooth mottled metal showing some silvered casehardening. Sound wood with scattered light marks.
See Illustration
Condition: Very good to fine. Barrel retains much original browned finish showing even thinning. Breech and lock with smooth mottled metal showing some silvered casehardening. Sound wood with scattered light marks.
See Illustration
Footnotes
Note: Joseph Tonks, 1858-80, Boston, Mass.; 1880-90, Malden, Mass. Owner of five patents for breechloading rifles, worked in the 1880s with the Whitmore Gun Company.








