In the early to mid-19th century, here in New England, many firearms were individually built by highly skilled craftsmen. Artemas Leonard of Saxtons River was one such craftsman.
His shop was on North Street in Saxtons River. He produced percussion firearms, including pistols, shotguns, target rifles, and over and under guns with combination rifle and shotgun barrels.
Over the years, I have seen a few of his firearms. He is known for his excellent rifling of barrels, creating very accurate rifles. He died in 1859.
The subject of this article is Artemas’ son George. He was born in 1829 in Saxtons River. Growing up, he worked in his father’s shop learning the trade. When his father died in 1859, George moved to Keene, N.H., to set up shop.
I have seen firearms marked George O. Leonard, Saxtons River. The over and under pictured with this article is marked “Geo O. Leonard, Keene N.H.” If he moved to Keene in 1859, and had left Keene by 1869, as he had, this firearm dates between 1859 and 1869.
This gun is an over and under. The top barrel is rifled, and approximately .477 caliber. The bottom barrel is a 20-gauge shotgun. The wooden stock is cherry or walnut, with a cheek rest. The old original finish makes it difficult to determine the wood, but I lean towards cherry.
It has a crescent butt plate, brass furniture and patchbox, lollipop tang sight, and a German silver inlay of a hunter and his dog. It’s a very attractive firearm.
Leonard firearms have always been desirable. This gun is from a private home, where it has been for over 150 years. I can’t imagine there are many left today with this pedigree.
From the same home is a percussion 12-gauge double in original fitted case. The fitted compartments are lined with green felt. The case is walnut with dovetailed corners. While a few compartments are empty, there is a powder flask, what I think is a vise for installing the spring, nipple wrench, and screwdriver. It is impressive.
This Saturday, Sept. 2, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., I am having an antiques tag sale at my place, at 2739 Vermont Route 11 East, Springfield-Chester Road.
These firearms and others will be offered for sale that day. All predate 1898, so they are legal to buy and sell. I will offer duplicate old Vermont books I have, some hard to find today. Early railroad tickets, playbills from area towns, an 1855 Doton Windsor County map, and much more.
We live in a new world today. Most people today are content to have scans of an item, or maybe look up something online, and print it out. But old time collectors like myself prefer to own the original. If you fall into this category, I might just have something for you.
This week’s old saying refers to someone uptight: “He is just full of stiff and starch.”