Leonard Percussion Target

History

During the American Civil War (1861-1865), several important sharpshooter designs were employed, the most famous of which is arguably the J.F. Brown rifle. Another competing design came from Artemis Leonard and the Leonard Percussion Target Rifle. Leonard founded the Leonard & Sons Gun Factory in Saxon River, Vermont, and manufactured firearms at the location from 1840 to 1860.

With the start of the "Inter-America" ??war in 1861, his precision weapons were in great demand.

Leonard's design is reminiscent of J.F. Brown's. It had the typical pistol shape of the time, with a long barrel and wooden stock. The front end was shortened under the barrel assembly, which itself was oversized, octagonal, and 31 inches long. The shank slopes down and mounts on the shoulder rest.

The trigger mechanism was placed in the usual position under the receiver. The key element of the Leonard gun is the optics mounted above the gun, which runs through the entire barrel assembly and breech through a pair of fuze channels.

These guns are endowed with fine engraving and some decoration, especially the elegant shape of the trigger guard. The action includes a shock cap with an exposed hammer and .48 caliber bullets.

Specification

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Performance

Changes