T.Neave & Sons....Muzzle Loader experts needed..

[61chalk]

Need any info. on a old muzzle loader, it appears to be very old,
it looks like those used in the old Daniel Boones shows, the wood
goes almost to the end, the barrel is a little over 43 in. It has a
octagon barrel an has barrel groves, it almost looks like it might of
been a flintlock,burns, but has the percusion cap nipple, has 2 quail
itched in the metal, an on the other side of the hammer it says
T.NEAVE & SONS
Cincinnati
Just thought maybe someone would know some history on this for me,
we think it was owned as far back as the late 1800's, or sooner...

 

[Jim K]

I can't tell you much, but Thompson Neave and Son were the successor to T & C Neave (the C is Charles). T Neave & Son operated at 83-85 Main St., Cincinnati from 1849 to 1860.

However, they did not make that gun; the Neaves were makers of gun locks and supplied gunsmiths in the Ohio area and west. If like other lock makers, they probably also supplied percussion bolsters, nipples, triggers, etc. to the trade.

Jim

 

[61chalk]

Thanks for the info. Jim, you are the Man!...I got another look at this gun, it doesn't have a twist barrel, I
thought it was because I stuck my little finger down it an thought I felt
the grooves,,,another look showed this was a octagon barrel on the inside as well...what!!!...never saw or heard of such a thing, an a 50 cal. bullet has room to spare on the sides, an found out they made 60 cal. so thinking its a 60. cal now....hadn't ever heard of that either, an found out the guy that had it we think could be as far back as the 1850's give or take a few yrs. Sure is appearing to be pre-civil war for sure, wonder how rare this inside an out octagan barrel is an the gun as well.....?

 

[steviebee1064]

i just saw your post about t. neave and son muzzle loader. i too have one of the old relics. i can find hardly any info on these things but i did see a picture of one identically like mine on a museum wall picture on the internet a few years back. i think the museum was in louisville ky. in the picture it said the rifle was thought to be made around 1795. i hope you see this reply as i know your post is years old.

steviebee1064

 

[Jim K]

I don't think a gun made in 1795 would have a Neave lock unless it was converted from flintlock.

Jim