AmericanLongRifles Forums

General discussion => Contemporary Longrifle Collecting => Topic started by: Dan'l 1946 on March 15, 2009, 03:11:06 AM

Title: Bird rifle
Post by: Dan'l 1946 on March 15, 2009, 03:11:06 AM

I saw a rifle today at the Springfield, Massachusetts gunshow. It was a southern mountain style rifle with hand-forged iron furniture. It had a Bill Large barrel and one of those little Maslin style locks that Russ Hamm used to make. It was made by a man named C. or G. Bird in 1973. Is anyone familiar with this builder? Thanks.
                                                   Dan

Title: Re: Bird rifle
Post by: Dphariss on March 16, 2009, 02:57:19 AM

Think first name was Gordon???
Period is right anyway.
Did not know him personally bit its a good chance this is the maker.
Dan

Title: Re: Bird rifle
Post by: Dan'l 1946 on March 16, 2009, 06:23:51 AM

Thanks Dan. I wound up buying it. It has a few issues, but nothing major. Turns out the barrel is a 43" Douglas .45 caliber with a perfect bore. The lock is in fine shape--hardly used. It has a sort of primitive look about it. The only furniture is a pair of thimbles for the ramrod and a really neat honest to gosh handforged trigger guard. Nice piece of walnut chosen for the run of its grain rather than figure. It needs a good cleaning up and then it's off to the woods for some sighting in (behind my brother-in-law's house). Thanks again for the info.
                                                                                        Dan