Original 19th Century U.S. Double Barreled Cape Combination Gun by L. Coon of Ithaca with Remington Locks - Circa 1850

Original Item: One of a kind. A combination gun is typically a firearm that usually has one rifled barrel and one smoothbore barrel, that is typically used with shot or some type of shotgun slug. While more modern styles utilizing cartridges were "over and under" designs, during the percussion era, most of these were side by side. Having ammunition ready for several different types of game definitely had its advantages.

This is a lovely well-used example of a "Cape Gun", a side-by-side version of a combination gun that were typically European in origin, however this example was made in the United States. These were at one time popular in Southern Africa, particularly the cape region, where a wide variety of game could be encountered. This is how they acquired their moniker, which continued in use even after they became more wide spread. While the British style of combination gun usually had the rifled barrel on the left side, the German and Austrian cape guns have the rifled barrel on the right side, which is fired by the front trigger. The front trigger is usually a set trigger as well, however this example does not, as far as we can tell.

This American made example fits the pattern very well, and like the German examples has a 32 gauge shotgun barrel on the left, and a 0.39" rifled barrel on the right, which are just about the same size externally. The top of the right barrel is stamped on the top with:-

L. COON
ITHACA

We can also see that it used to be marked on the barrel rib with L. COON / WARRANTED, however a rear sight was installed in that place, one of several that have been inset into the barrel rib over the years. Levi Coon and his son Levi Coon Jr. were active in the Ithaca and Oswego areas of New York during the first half of the 19th Century. There is conflicting information on exactly when Coon and his son were active, but he is recorded as having made a water driven triphammer for the manufacture of rifle barrels in Ithaca. The lock plates are both marked REMINGTON, which we assume means that they were sourced from Remington, and not that Remington was getting barrels from Coon. It is interesting to see the names of these competing firms on the same gun, so it may even be possible that neither assembled it.

The metalwork on this originally looks to have ben highly decorated, however wear from cleaning away past oxidation has made any past designs faint. This is particularly evident on the barrel, which shows relatively heavy wear on the barrel rib. The barrel tang shows lovely "bank note" style engraving, which is now faint, and the brass trigger guard also shows similar designs. We can also see that the locks originally had engraved hunting scenes with game fowl in flight, which are now relatively faint. The metalwork overall shows a gray patina with signs of past peppering, while the brass trigger guard, butt plate, and patch box have a lovely polished mellow patina. There is also a beautiful "German Silver" inlay on the cheekpiece on the left side of the butt stock.

The locks are both fully functional, however neither seems to have been designed with any type of half cock or safety. There are pipes for a ramrod under the barrel assembly, but none are included.  We checked the bores, and the smoothbore barrel shows use, with some powder fouling and oxidation on the interior. The rifled barrel still shows clear rifling, with some fouling in the grooves, but overall is in very good shape, with the lands still bright. It definitely saw use, but was well cared for. We can see where a sight was installed i the past on the barrel rib, and there is another broken sight behind it. The most recent sight is the flip up aperture "peep" sight on the barrel tang.

The wood half stock is lovely, though it does show wear from age and use, with scratches, dents, and issues. It also looks to have suffered a crack right through the lock area, which would understandably be weak due to having locks on both sides. With the heavy double barrel damage here was almost inevitable. It has been repaired by having custom made period steel plates fitted onto both sides, and then attached with six flat head screws on each side. Definitely a high level repair. The left side of the butt stock has a lovely cheek piece with the previously mentioned inlay, and the patch box on the right side opens easily.

A lovely example of a Victorian Era hunting gun, made in the United States for possible export to South Africa. Ready to research and display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: circa 1850
Shotgun Caliber: 32 Bore - about 0.525"
Rifle Caliber: 0.39" with 6 groove rifling
Cartridge Type: Lead Shot/ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 32 1/2 Inches
Overall Length: 47 5/8 Inches
Action type: Side Action Percussion Locks
Feed System: Muzzle Loading

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