Can anyone identify this muzzle loader?
- Thread starter Boonezai
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The style suggests that it was made sometime during the period 1820 to 1850.
These rifles were made by individual gunsmiths, rather then in a factory, and many of them are unmarked. It does not appear to be a flintlock-to-percussion conversion, and very few such rifles were made after the Civil War.
These rifles were made by individual gunsmiths, rather then in a factory, and many of them are unmarked. It does not appear to be a flintlock-to-percussion conversion, and very few such rifles were made after the Civil War.
Boonezai,
I would agree with Old Fluff, the rifle is mid nineteenth century in style but could have been made anytime within a range of a few generations. Have you posted this at the American Longrifle Forum? Chances are that someone there will be able to make an attribution to a regional style or even a maker.
Nice furniture on it.
-D.
I would agree with Old Fluff, the rifle is mid nineteenth century in style but could have been made anytime within a range of a few generations. Have you posted this at the American Longrifle Forum? Chances are that someone there will be able to make an attribution to a regional style or even a maker.
Nice furniture on it.
-D.
Chawbaccer
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Where are you at Boonezai? That gun kinda has the sleek lines of a Vincent. They made them up into the 1920's.
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Markings?
On the muzzle, are those holes I see? I'm wondering if they're decorative or for a false muzzle. If for the latter, you've a target rifle there and if that's true, start looking for a bullet mold, swage, false muzzle, bullet starter and maybe even a patch (or paper) cutter.
On the muzzle, are those holes I see? I'm wondering if they're decorative or for a false muzzle. If for the latter, you've a target rifle there and if that's true, start looking for a bullet mold, swage, false muzzle, bullet starter and maybe even a patch (or paper) cutter.
Allow me to demonstrate my ignorance here but what is a false muzzle? I will try to make a more clear picture of the end of the muzzle if that helps identify anything. Also, I will be bringing it to the gun show in Greenville, SC on Sept. 9th in case any of you plan to be there.
1911 guy
Member
I've got no idea.
But you may want to try posting this on WWW.muzzleloadingforum.com . There are some hardcore enthusiasts there that will drool to see an original in fairly good shape. Likely get some answers from them.
Edit to add: A false muzzle is an attachment that is used to center the bullet to the bore when loaded. This gives greater accuracy because a caddywhampus lead bullet will deform to the bore and be non-concentric if not centered. Most often used with conical bullets, but I think some of the serious target shooters used them for round balls, too.
But you may want to try posting this on WWW.muzzleloadingforum.com . There are some hardcore enthusiasts there that will drool to see an original in fairly good shape. Likely get some answers from them.
Edit to add: A false muzzle is an attachment that is used to center the bullet to the bore when loaded. This gives greater accuracy because a caddywhampus lead bullet will deform to the bore and be non-concentric if not centered. Most often used with conical bullets, but I think some of the serious target shooters used them for round balls, too.
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Yep, decorative only. Holes for false muzzles are generally drilled deeper. Secondly, virtually every false muzzle or photo of a false muzzle that I've seen has a lollipop that sticks up from it and if you were to look through the sights, you would see the lollippop and not the target. This was done to remind the shooter to remove the false muzzle.
Going off topic, there was a good target gun displayed at the Smithsonian American History Museum before it closed. It had the false muzzle, bullet starter, etc. and was accredited to a Berdan Sharp Shooter. I told them that the owner belonged to the First Battalion New York Sharp Shooters and provided them with the unit history. I didn't tell them that I had more than that though. They'll get the rest of the info when I send them a copy of my book (which is still in the editor's hands.
). That museum removed the gun collection for remodelling and the entire museum is closed for two years.
If you want to see guns, go to their Museum of the American Indian. They've over 100 guns displayed including one belonging to Geronimo, Red Cloud, Chief Joseph. How the G-3 got there escapes me though.
Going off topic, there was a good target gun displayed at the Smithsonian American History Museum before it closed. It had the false muzzle, bullet starter, etc. and was accredited to a Berdan Sharp Shooter. I told them that the owner belonged to the First Battalion New York Sharp Shooters and provided them with the unit history. I didn't tell them that I had more than that though. They'll get the rest of the info when I send them a copy of my book (which is still in the editor's hands.
). That museum removed the gun collection for remodelling and the entire museum is closed for two years. If you want to see guns, go to their Museum of the American Indian. They've over 100 guns displayed including one belonging to Geronimo, Red Cloud, Chief Joseph. How the G-3 got there escapes me though.
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