Beschreibung:

.38 caliber, 32.75" barrel, no S/N. Blued barrel with half stock checkered at wrist. Hooded blade front sight with filled rear sight block and tang mounted aperture sight. German silver forend cap and wedge escutcheons along with triggerguard, buttplate, and toe plate. Double set-trigger. Barrel marked on top of barrel "CHAs FOEHL/PHILA" along with "MADE FOR/A.J. Plate/SAN FRANCISCO." Tail of triggerguard marked "12." Barrel crowned for included brass ball-starter. Charles Foehl arrived in the United States from his native Germany in 1859. Apprenticing under John Wurfflein and later working for Henry Deringer, Jr., he soon became concerned with developing his own unique firearm designs. In 1889 he formed his own company with machinist Charles Weeks under the name "Foehl & Weeks Firearms Manufacturing Company." Foehl manufactured single-shot rifles both during his time with Deringer and with his own firm. A.J. Plate, another native German would become one of the best-known arms dealers in San Francisco. Arriving in New York in 1836, he soon began operating a cabinet making business with two of his brothers. After a devastating fire destroyed the business, he threw in his lot with the "Forty-Niners" who sought their fortune in California. After securing a small claim, he subsequently opened a small store. A fortunate population boom in San Francisco increased his business significantly, and Plate was soon importing arms and securing contracts with companies for supply and manufacture to his specific needs, of which this rifle is certainly one. A.J. Plate and Foehl would be linked not only through the manufacture of this firearm, but through litigation brought against the former by the latter's one-time employer, Henry Deringer. Deringer brought a case from 1863-1870 against Plate, concerning patent infringements on the design of the gun that bore his same. The court decided against Plate, and awarded Deringer $1,770 dollars in damages (approximately $34,951 in contemporary value) as well as issued a permanent injunction against Plate from using the Deringer trademark. Condition: Very good to Fine. Some thinning of finish on sharp edges. Hole has been drilled above second ramrod pipe, possibly for a sing swivel. Stock has some minor blemishes, but no serious cracks or splits. Mechanically functional, but sometimes slips on cock. Bore is very good; bright with visible rifling.