jricker3
Member
Greetings. I am new to this forum and new to black powder arms. I own a few smokeless weapons, but have wanted to get into black powder for a while.
To that end, I picked up a rifle that is a complete mystery to me, and may well become a wall hanger if it proves to be too much to refurb. I am hoping you can assist in identifying what I stumbled on.
First off, here is a link to a Google Drive folder with a bunch of high res images of the rifle both assembled and disassembled:
https://drive.google.com/folderview...NuN3g1NU5YNWNZdUFLcm1vc2UxQ1FrNVk&usp=sharing
Now for the details:
It was found in an attic and the homeowner had no details at all as to the history of the gun.
Markings: There are no markings other than a number stamped on the bottom of the barrel partially obscured by the fore stock (2684), and almost totally worn off scrollwork on the top of the buttplate and the brass cover in the side of the stock.
Barrel: 36 caliber rifled octagon. Total length is 29.5" to the end of the bore and 30.25" to the very end of the barrel. Width is .975" at the muzzle and 1.12 at the near end.
It has a double trigger (not sure if this is standard for black powder or not). The action is heavily worn from much use and will not stay cocked. There is no provision for a half cock... it's all or nothing.
The inside of the lock plate appears to be hand hammered, and the springs also seem to be hand worked. The lock is held on with a single screw passing through the stock.
The metal piece at the fore end of the stock (not sure what it is called) is cast lead. Could this be a cut down stock?
The supplied ramrod is wooden, warped, and too long. Probably not original.
I opted not to remove the butt plate because I did not have a screwdriver with a fine enough blade, and didn't want to bugger the screws.
The rear sight is drift adjustable and does not look like those I saw on modern reproductions.
Given this info as well as the pics, can anyone shed light on what this may be? Given that the trigger mechanism will need fettling by a gunsmith at the least, and total replacement at the worst, is it worth putting money into, or should I give it a home blueing and bung it on the wall.
Thanks in advance for your input. This is all very new to me, but I love adding to my collection of guns and knowledge. Even if it turns out to be wall art, that and the knowledge gained will be well worth the $75 I paid.
To that end, I picked up a rifle that is a complete mystery to me, and may well become a wall hanger if it proves to be too much to refurb. I am hoping you can assist in identifying what I stumbled on.
First off, here is a link to a Google Drive folder with a bunch of high res images of the rifle both assembled and disassembled:
https://drive.google.com/folderview...NuN3g1NU5YNWNZdUFLcm1vc2UxQ1FrNVk&usp=sharing
Now for the details:
It was found in an attic and the homeowner had no details at all as to the history of the gun.
Markings: There are no markings other than a number stamped on the bottom of the barrel partially obscured by the fore stock (2684), and almost totally worn off scrollwork on the top of the buttplate and the brass cover in the side of the stock.
Barrel: 36 caliber rifled octagon. Total length is 29.5" to the end of the bore and 30.25" to the very end of the barrel. Width is .975" at the muzzle and 1.12 at the near end.
It has a double trigger (not sure if this is standard for black powder or not). The action is heavily worn from much use and will not stay cocked. There is no provision for a half cock... it's all or nothing.
The inside of the lock plate appears to be hand hammered, and the springs also seem to be hand worked. The lock is held on with a single screw passing through the stock.
The metal piece at the fore end of the stock (not sure what it is called) is cast lead. Could this be a cut down stock?
The supplied ramrod is wooden, warped, and too long. Probably not original.
I opted not to remove the butt plate because I did not have a screwdriver with a fine enough blade, and didn't want to bugger the screws.
The rear sight is drift adjustable and does not look like those I saw on modern reproductions.
Given this info as well as the pics, can anyone shed light on what this may be? Given that the trigger mechanism will need fettling by a gunsmith at the least, and total replacement at the worst, is it worth putting money into, or should I give it a home blueing and bung it on the wall.
Thanks in advance for your input. This is all very new to me, but I love adding to my collection of guns and knowledge. Even if it turns out to be wall art, that and the knowledge gained will be well worth the $75 I paid.