Ancestry Guns was founded out of a passion for two things: history and firearms. I grew up shooting, collecting and hunting, and I grew up with an attentive ear when stories were being told, whether at a family gathering or in a classroom. My passion for history ultimately led my somewhat aimless university career to a B.A. in history. I had no idea that these two passions, combined with a desire to be an entrepreneur would lead me to begin this business.

I dare say that every one of the relics I acquire for my ever revolving collection has some story worth telling. Some are more vocal and forthcoming than others. Any time I can give that piece of history a larger voice, I will.

Below is a fascinating article, from the May 1909 issue of Field And Stream, that I discovered while researching the maker of this rifle. It tells of well-renowned gun maker, Alexander McComas, who lived in the city of Baltimore during the beginning of hostilities of the American Civil War. The article describes the setting: “The city was in a terrible turmoil. Union sentiment hardly dared to express itself; sympathy for a Southern Confederacy was in the ascendant, and a determined effort was to be made to prevent federal troops from passing through the city.” Against that backdrop, our smith, along with his son and an assistant foiled several Confederate provocateurs and then an entire mob from raiding his shop for weapons to use against the federal troops coming through on their way to Washington D.C.

How did they do it? Read the article to find out.

https://www.ancestryguns.com/shop/beautiful-antique-a-mccomas-half-stock-long-rifle-made-in-baltimore-maryland-usa/