Which long gun for fireplace décor?

[D.B. Cooper]

So...I have a traditional mason fireplace with stonework facade and wood beam mantle. The stonework is flanked by shiplap wood paneling (vertical) with a medium-dark stain. (So that will be the back drop behind the displayed long gun.

What is going to be the right long gun to display over that mantle that will evoke the spirit of America (and of Alaska)? I could go with any of my vintage Winchesters, but, to be honest, I don't want them left out to be stolen; I'm more interested in a reproduction that I might artificially age to give it that antique look. I'm thinking about some sort of flintlock or percussion rifle or musket, but a SxS or lever gun might work, too.

What are your thoughts?

PS: I also plan to display a white tail 9 pt rack (antlers only, with velvet over the skull cap) immediately above or below said long gun.

 

[DocRock]

Best would be a non-functioning repro flintlock, imo. The Indians [dot, not feather] do them. Doesn't really capture the Alaskan theme (best served by a beat-to-crap .22), but it's evocative and cost effective.

 

[NorthBorder]

An old double hammer 12 gauge side by side. Preferably a damascus barrel.

 

[Taurus 617 CCW]

I second the side by side shotgun idea. You can pick up a Brazilian FIE or the like for fairly cheap since they tend to break often. They make great wall hangers.

 

[MikeInOr]

It sounds like it is time for a trip to the gun show. Set a budget before you go... like you said you don't want something high value that will make you sick if it is stolen. Then look for a piece of art, functional or not, that will give you the look that you want.

I have an old Frank Wesson 2 trigger single shot .32 rimfire that isn't worth much because ammo hasn't been available for a very long time but will be a great wall hanger some day.

 

[D.B. Cooper]

It sounds like it is time for a trip to the gun show.

We don't have those up here. (Well, we do, but they're crap. 20 tables of nothing.) I figure on ordering online, or something.

 

[D.B. Cooper]

An old double hammer 12 gauge side by side. Preferably a damascus barrel.

My girlfriend's dad has one on his wall. Complete with Damascus barrel.

 

[drk1]

How about making a muzzleloader from a kit? It's fairly inexpensive, it's really not too difficult even with simple hand tools, it will be functional and you will have bragging rights!

 

[D.B. Cooper]

Doesn't really capture the Alaskan theme...

No, but a Russian flintlock would. But I don't know anything about Russian/Tsarist era firearms.

 

[D.B. Cooper]

How about making a muzzleloader from a kit? It's fairly inexpensive, it's really not too difficult even with simple hand tools, it will be functional and you will have bragging rights!

Any specific suggestions?

 

[DocRock]

No, but a Russian flintlock would. But I don't know anything about Russian/Tsarist era firearms.

How about a Mosin-Nagant? Caribou's wife, Agnes, is quite proficient with one!

 

[MikeInOr]

What kind of price range are you wanting to stay in?

Anything classified as an antique you do not have to go through an FFL to purchase. You can purchase it directly and have it mailed directly to you... legally!

https://www.gunbroker.com/Antique-Guns/search?PageSize=96&Sort=4

Double barrel precussion shotgun:
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/839702610

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/837801059

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/838972660



https://www.gunbroker.com/item/841296064

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/839166149

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/837949028

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/841484070

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/831071313

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/828449415

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/841659618

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/828415029

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/839166149

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/834615625

 

[AlexanderA]

I wouldn't put any kind of valuable collector firearm anywhere near a fireplace. Fire in close proximity would have detrimental effects on the firearm. Get a cheap Denix pot metal replica.

 

[Deus Machina]

My vote, especially for Alaska, would be a lever-action.
But if I just needed a display piece, I'd hit up wherever busted guns are to be found, polish and stain one up all pretty but not necessarily servicable, and hang that.
Lever-actions, double-barreled shotguns, or sewer-piped muzzle-loaders are all good options.
Or, if you're a dork like me, an old Red Ryder.

 

[mag1911]

You might be able to "antique" one of these:

https://www.replicadungeon.com/western-rifles.html

 

[Speedo66]

Not to be a "sky is falling" type, but any state or local laws about locking up all weapons? In that case, a non firing replica might be best.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I think a reproduction of a Spencer Carbine would be pretty cool.

 

[bearcreek]

Not to be a "sky is falling" type, but any state or local laws about locking up all weapons? In that case, a non firing replica might be best.

He's in Alaska. No such ridiculousness in the free-er states.

 

[Armored farmer]

Mrs farmer is an accomplished decorator. She has my T/C Hawken. 54 on display below the 9pt that I used to tag him.
Various other vintage outdoorsy items too.
Pics are too dark, but you get the idea.

 

[bearcreek]

Here's a thread I found on the subject. Some interesting info. http://forums.outdoorsdirectory.com/showthread.php/70001-Early-Alaska-Guns

 

[KevininPa]

Or, if you're a dork like me, an old Red Ryder.[/QUOTE]

HEY! You're not a dork unless you shoot your eye out!

 

[GBExpat]

... What are your thoughts? ...

I would be tempted to use the situation as a good excuse to acquire a decent Hawken caplock. While a repro period Winchester lever rifle would probably be a little bit more apropos, I would never leave such a nice lever rifle hanging on my wall.

Actually, I would probably only place the rifle over the fireplace when I had friends/family over ... and return it to the gunsafe before bedtime. S'just me.

Hmmmm ...

So ... I have managed to think thru this "on paper" and my solution would be to research a wall mount that could be easily & immediately modified to accommodate many different rifles (holding them in a proper horizontal position despite differences in form-factor) and then, since the longgun would only reside there for brief/special periods, I would alternate the longgun that I displayed.

Heck, if the mount looked too empty the rest of the time, I could keep a lookout for a cheap trash-longgun to keep there most of the time ... something that is completely unsuited to repair, an item of negligible value, but still looks "interesting" but obviously no longer functioning.

Yeah, I know ... that probably didn't help at all ... but best of luck with your plan.

 

[Kleanbore]

How about an old, well-worn, long, single-barrel 12 ga.?

 

[bannockburn]

Get a Traditions Prairie Hawken percussion rifle. Better yet get a kit version for that build it yourself, personalized touch! Lots of fun and will keep you busy during those long winter nights!

 

[FL-NC]

Italian copy of Hawken