Fine and Unique American Over and Under Percussion Sporting Gun, ca. 1860

Description

Made by Barry C. Wood (1842-1876) of Painted Post, New York, this custom-made buck
and ball sporting gun features a round 32 1/2″ rifled .38 caliber top barrel above a fixed .69
caliber smoothbore barrel for buck shot. Top barrel flat stamped “B.C. WOOD/P.POST,
N.Y” Ramrod pipes on both sides, each holding a wood ramrod specific to each barrel.
Front blade sight and elevator rear sight, with adjustable folding lollipop peep sight on the
engraved barrel tang. Flat lockplate with engraved border, acanthus decoration, and
stamped “B.C. WOOD/P.POST, NY”; floral engraved top hammer. The lower hammer is
operated by the trigger guard mainspring and can be operated independently, or
simultaneous with the top hammer. Figured walnut stock with checkered wrist, crescent
butt plate, and shadowline cheekpiece; engraved circular patch box. Very good condition;
the metal smooth, with gunmetal gray patina; wood with minor marks from use and rich,
dark patina. Barry Wood was a prolific maker of custom rifles and shotguns of unique
design and detail. Such guns required great skill and time to craft and were expensive
firearms for their day. Overall length 48 1/2″.