AmericanLongRifles Forums

General discussion => Antique Gun Collecting => Topic started by: ericxvi on January 12, 2019, 04:12:55 PM

Title: Bedford county rifle
Post by: ericxvi on January 12, 2019, 04:12:55 PM

  I bought this rifle at a local auction for a very reasonable price. It was obvious to me
 from the pictures it was a Bedford co gun even with the goofy replacement hammer.
 The 38 cal barrel is 33" and has been set back 1.5" at the breech, and probably shortened
 at the muzzle as well. There's one crack in the stock at the rear lock bolt, besides that the
 wood is in good condition and every thing works.
   
(https://i.ibb.co/gRdf0Hf/IMG-2447.jpg) (https://ibb.co/NyrJ0QJ)

(https://i.ibb.co/CbpspTP/IMG-2445.jpg) (https://ibb.co/6HcJcfX)

Am I correct in thinking this is a William Defibaugh gun? 

Title: Re: Bedford county rifle
Post by: Mark Tyler on January 12, 2019, 04:34:41 PM

Yes, you are correct.

Title: Re: Bedford county rifle
Post by: Shreckmeister on January 12, 2019, 04:36:29 PM

I would say yes. Anything remaining of a signature on the lock?

Title: Re: Bedford county rifle
Post by: ericxvi on January 12, 2019, 04:58:36 PM

  No signature on the lock.
   
  No engraving on the side plate either. The round inlay above the cheek piece
is an 1875 german pfenny.
   
(https://i.ibb.co/2NhGyty/IMG-2446.jpg) (https://ibb.co/BN30tZt)

Title: Re: Bedford county rifle
Post by: Shreckmeister on January 12, 2019, 06:11:06 PM

It all looks right to me for defibaugh. If there isn’t a picture in the library on this site I can post a picture

Title: Re: Bedford county rifle
Post by: ericxvi on January 13, 2019, 03:58:40 PM

  That would be fine, Thanks

Title: Re: Bedford county rifle
Post by: onthehillbill on January 13, 2019, 05:40:30 PM

that is definitely a sweet William D.

Title: Re: Bedford county rifle
Post by: jdm on January 14, 2019, 01:05:07 AM

There is a  William Defibaugh on page 71of Jim Whiskers book " Gunsmiths of Bedford ,Fulton, Huntingdon,  & Somerset Counties." It's almost identical to yours . Although it doesn't have the extra value of the coin.

Title: Re: Bedford county rifle
Post by: ericxvi on January 14, 2019, 01:20:51 AM

Thanks for the info, I will look for that book.
 
 

 

Title: Re: Bedford county rifle
Post by: Shreckmeister on January 14, 2019, 06:20:33 AM

Need to take that replacement hammer off of it and put a nice proper Bedford replacement on it!!!

Title: Re: Bedford county rifle
Post by: ericxvi on January 14, 2019, 04:05:14 PM

  I'm currently working on making a proper hammer. I'm not much of a blacksmith,
it usually takes 3 or 4 attempts to forge something like that.

  If someone out there knows how they did that, I would sure like to like to know!

Title: Re: Bedford county rifle
Post by: louieparker on January 14, 2019, 06:48:33 PM

I can't tell you how they did it.. But how I would do it not being a blacksmith.. I would get a piece of flat plate and cut it out.. Or maybe that would be cheating ?  I know I would get a better hammer that way..Should be a simple hammer to file out.....LP

Title: Re: Bedford county rifle
Post by: ericxvi on January 14, 2019, 09:18:13 PM

That is one of my options, I have not given up on forging it though.

Title: Re: Bedford county rifle
Post by: louieparker on January 14, 2019, 09:23:34 PM

Hang in there !   Thats the way to learn,.....LP