AmericanLongRifles Forums

General discussion => Antique Gun Collecting => Topic started by: Dennis Glazener on December 15, 2010, 06:36:34 PM

Title: Barrel stamp, "GR"
Post by: Dennis Glazener on December 15, 2010, 06:36:34 PM

I can't stand suspense so I pulled the lock on my latest acquisition
( http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=13326.0 ) and found these stamps on the barrel flat:
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi147.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr296%2Ftglazener%2Fbarrelgr.jpg&hash=8378e20fa25fcb10e144507544dcd05245874474)

Anyone recognize them? I looked at them with an eye loop and the left one is definitely GR. I suspect the second one is also but I can not be sure. I feel certain the barrel is original to the stock, you can see where the barrel has two grooves ground on the bottom flat. They are to clear the front lock bolt. Then the barrel was setback about 3/4 of an inch and a second groove was ground to clear the lock bolt.
The same thing applies to each of the 4 cross pins. New pins about 3/4 of an inch behind the other.

I thought it interesting that the draw loops look like they are made for a wedge but the cross pins are 5/32 inch pins with no evidence of ever having wedges.
Dennis

Title: Re: Barrel stamp, "GR"
Post by: G-Man on December 15, 2010, 06:50:47 PM

Hmmm....a reused early English trade rifle barrel perhaps?

i.e. GR = George Rex (King George)?

Hard to tell on the mark - does not look like typical English marks I have seen (usually have the crown with the "GR"), but I have not seen all that many.

Guy

Title: Re: Barrel stamp, "GR"
Post by: Tom Moore on December 16, 2010, 06:12:47 PM

I got excited when I first saw this because I remember a round stamping just like that on my Jacob Hoak rifle. Alas, although very similar, the initial were "SB". I don't know what they mean either. -Tom