This is an exceptional example of a W.& C. Scott Jacobs percussion rifle which was made as part of a collection of guns specially made for display at the 1862 International Exhibition in London, England. That was the first major venue at which Scott guns were exhibited. This rifle and a double rifle, now in the possession of Holland & Holland, are the only two known survivors of that exhibition, making this rifle extremely rare . The rifle was manufactured in 1862 and is a single barrel example of a Jacobs rifle which was invented by General John Jacob, C.B. The single barrel rifle was developed in the mid-1840s and differed substantially from the military rifles in that it was of a much smaller bore and shorter barrel. Jacob was associated with the East India Co. and tried unsuccessfully to get his double rifle accepted by the Indian Government in 1846. The rifle has a Damascus pattern barrel and solid under rib, with 11 inches of the breech end having a top flat, blade front sight and five separate folding rear sight leafs. The top flat ahead of the rear sight is marked "1862" and behind the sight "W.&C. SCOTT & SON MAKERS 95 BATH ST BIRMINGHAM/EXHIBITED IN THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION LONDON". The hammer, lock, trigger guard and breech plug are very nicely floral scroll engraved. The top flat of the breech plug has a shell design surrounded by floral scroll designs. The lock is marked "W.&C. SCOTT & SON" and in addition to the scroll engraving has a deer lying in a field scene at the front and a buck in a wooded scene at the rear. The lock is equipped with a sliding hammer safety. The trigger guard has a finely checkered grip spur, ebony ram rod with brass end, with a sling eye on the forward pipe and mounted with a one piece walnut straight grip checkered half stock secured by two wedges with engraved escutcheons, teardrop flats and engraved patch box, with a deer in a field scene and floral scroll designs. The buttplate is a shotgun style, finished in bright blue with engraved screw heads. The accompanying W.&C. Scott letter verifies the above information and under estimated production states "Unique, as far as known".
BBL: 24 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 58 percussion
Finish: brown/casehardened
Grips:
Serial Number: 7513

Excellent. The barrel retains 95% plus of the original brown finish. The trigger guard retains 70% original bright nitre blue finish with scattered flaking and a smooth gray patina on the exposed surfaces. The hammer has a smooth brown patina, while the lock retains traces of the original case colors mixed with a smooth gray patina. The patch box retains 60% original case colors with a smooth mottled gray patina on the balance. The buttplate retains 85% original bright nitre blue finish with scattered flaking and a smooth brown patina on the exposed surfaces. The stock is excellent plus with a few minor dings, and sharp flat edges and checkering. The engraving and markings are crisp and clear. The action is excellent. An extraordinary, documented exhibition grade W.&C. Scott Jacob rifle that is of historical significance.