AmericanLongRifles Forums

General discussion => Gun Building => Topic started by: TombstoneLizard on August 03, 2011, 03:16:42 AM

Title: Unidentified piece; possibly from muzzle or breech loader
Post by: TombstoneLizard on August 03, 2011, 03:16:42 AM
Greetings from Tombstone, Arizona!

My name is Joel Copeland, and I reside at the west end of the downtown area of Tombstone.  I have taken (and continue to) many hikes around the desert here.  I have found several interesting pieces; one I gave to a gentleman by the name of Steve Weeks, who told me that the piece I found belonged to a black-powder, six-shooting rifle (I never did get the spelling-Renken?)

Recently I came across an interesting piece that Steve thinks may be a part of a breech-loading rifle.  He is not sure even after viewing the photos I e-mailed him, and he is currently researching it.  Since he is the father of three young children, I'm sure his response time will be quite slow as usual! :-)  I am a total and complete amateur when it comes to identifying older weapons, yet, since I consider myself a writer, here goes a physical description:

The part in question is iron, and somewhat flat.  It has three holes, both ends and down in the middle.  In the middle hole remains a round, curve-topped 1" long bolt, approximately 3/16" thick.

Overall, the pieces is approximately 3 and 3/4 inches long (from end to end) and varies from 3/4" at the ends, widening out to 1 and 3/4" in the middle.  Overall it is rather hook-shaped, yet is somewhat flat; with 1/8" wide beveling going all around it.  The overall piece is slightly curved, rising above the beveling.

Now, there is a curved notch at one end of the widest point on this piece:  The opening is approximately 5/8" wide, and curves down to 3/4" deep; the "rest" or bottom of the notch is  1/4" wide.
[i(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1200.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fbb326%2FTombstoneLizard%2FTombstone%2520Artifacts%2FP7310050.jpg&hash=9b3b9703031a1d57bd5aea8fa6b7e316420fd5e8)(http://)mg][(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1200.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fbb326%2FTombstoneLizard%2FTombstone%2520Artifacts%2FP7310049.jpg&hash=29a94af4a5e8653187e6509c9f39b692fe4b8add)/img] (https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F%5B%2Fi%5BIMG%5Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fi1200.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fbb326%2FTombstoneLizard%2FTombstone%2520Artifacts%2FP7310052.jpg&hash=94e885d5fc28e898a5e74915f680c913fffce469)mg](http://)(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1200.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fbb326%2FTombstoneLizard%2FTombstone%2520Artifacts%2FP7310051.jpg&hash=8663ece92b0ad5545839de7271e6eae5e7991c7a)

For all I know, this piece was part of a saddle, or fancy trunk. Don't know, but since I want to know, you are welcome to e-mail me at <jscopeland@tombstonelizardmedia.com> and I will send you my pics of the item in question.  I am quickly becoming a fan of Old West guns and equipment used in this area, and would be more than grateful for your responses!

Thanks, and keep that powder dry!

Joel S. Copeland
Title: Re: Unidentified piece; possibly from muzzle or breech loader
Post by: greybeard on August 03, 2011, 04:27:52 AM
Click on TUTORIALS/  Second post is a how to on posting photos.
Title: Re: Unidentified piece; possibly from muzzle or breech loader
Post by: Fullstock longrifle on August 04, 2011, 02:03:55 AM
Yes, definitely not part of a gun.

FK