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General discussion => Antique Gun Collecting => Topic started by: DBAR1918 on September 26, 2009, 07:52:24 AM

Title: B. Keller target/hunting rifle Help
Post by: DBAR1918 on September 26, 2009, 07:52:24 AM

I've obtained a circa 1850s target/hunting rifle and cannot find anything on the maker.  The name "B. Keller" is stamped on the lock, the top of the barrel, and several times on the bottom of the barrel at the breech.  The only other marking is "Muzzy & Co." on the bottom of the barrel at the breech.  Muzzy is probably the barrel maker, as two prominant companies of that name operated in the period in Bangor, Maine, and Worchester, Massachusetts.  There are no other markings.

The barrel has a choke a little over two inches from the muzzle, a freed bore, a "lollypop" tang peep sight with windage drift, is .38" at the muzzle and .36" at the choke.  The set set trigger has a pronounced curve and the hair trigger is a straight, thin variety with set screw.  The barrel is octagon for the first 40% and round to the muzzle, 1 1/4" round turned down to around 1 1/8" for a bullet starter/false muzzle (no pin holes).  It does not have a patent breech and has never had a rear sight on the barrel.   The only original accessories with the rifle are the non-folding, screw-in tang sight and the wooden ramrod. 
I appreciate any help.

Dave Stieghan

Title: Re: B. Keller target/hunting rifle Help
Post by: Dphariss on September 26, 2009, 08:24:44 AM

Surely a picket bullet rifle muzzle turned for a piston starter. Pictures would be an aid.

Dan

Title: Re: B. Keller target/hunting rifle Help
Post by: DBAR1918 on September 26, 2009, 08:57:08 AM

Yup, a picket ball shooter it is.  I did find a very nice .350" picket ball bag mold for it that is among the new accessories set.  I have plenty of close, clear digital images of details- but not the expertise required to post these on this forum.  If I could simply hit a "browse" button, or PM you with an attachment, that would work much better.

Noticing your symbol, you should come and visit the new National Infantry Museum at Fort Benning.  My office is on the government side, though I am the Branch Historian and don't work for the museum, per se.

Dave Stieghan
dstieghan@mchsi.com

Title: Re: B. Keller target/hunting rifle Help
Post by: Acer Saccharum on September 26, 2009, 05:10:14 PM

Dave, check this photo posting site: http://tinypic.com/

a brief tutorial on photo posting at the above site can be found here:
http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=10.msg62072#msg62072

Give it a try when you get a moment. It works, it's fairly easy, and it's free.

Tom