AmericanLongRifles Forums

General discussion => Antique Gun Collecting => Topic started by: lexington1 on June 11, 2024, 05:19:55 AM

Title: Sad end of a fine longrifle
Post by: lexington1 on June 11, 2024, 05:19:55 AM
This was my big purchase at the Vegas show in January. I felt sorry for it, so it came home with me. It was once a very fine rifle. I feel like I am providing hospice care for it.
(https://i.ibb.co/Yp33Ppk/20240610-201006.jpg) (https://ibb.co/XSbbjSs)

(https://i.ibb.co/dpDkJJx/20240610-201024.jpg) (https://ibb.co/vdkLvvR)

(https://i.ibb.co/ZNt3LwV/20240610-201029.jpg) (https://ibb.co/JC0NBbK)

(https://i.ibb.co/KhTdBG1/20240610-201033.jpg) (https://ibb.co/7CsPBz9)
Title: Re: Sad end of a fine longrifle
Post by: Shreckmeister on June 11, 2024, 05:50:15 AM
Have you figured out the maker?  Nice relic
Title: Re: Sad end of a fine longrifle
Post by: Avlrc on June 11, 2024, 06:01:23 AM
It still has its soul. Wonderful.
Title: Re: Sad end of a fine longrifle
Post by: Fullstock longrifle on June 11, 2024, 02:28:01 PM
Looks like it’s what’s left of a John Bonewitz, glad you saved it Wes.
Title: Re: Sad end of a fine longrifle
Post by: Gaeckle on June 11, 2024, 02:54:16 PM
That's a fantastic study piece, good save
Title: Re: Sad end of a fine longrifle
Post by: homerifle on June 11, 2024, 04:30:48 PM
Nice, that needed a good home!
Title: Re: Sad end of a fine longrifle
Post by: Bigmon on June 11, 2024, 04:36:45 PM
As with most old guns "if it could just talk".
Title: Re: Sad end of a fine longrifle
Post by: Eric Kettenburg on June 11, 2024, 04:38:39 PM
That's a great piece - good find.

Just to be my usual self, I will say there are a number of complete 'antiques' that started out with not much more.
Title: Re: Sad end of a fine longrifle
Post by: T.C.Albert on June 11, 2024, 05:02:50 PM
Nice one Eric. Spot on I’m afraid too. I love those patch box butt stock only  relic pieces. They are usually loaded with character and dying to tell us a story.
Tim A.
Title: Re: Sad end of a fine longrifle
Post by: Avlrc on June 11, 2024, 05:17:08 PM
That's a great piece - good find.

Just to be my usual self, I will say there are a number of complete 'antiques' that started out with not much more.

Like the rib bone from Adam  :)
Title: Re: Sad end of a fine longrifle
Post by: jdm on June 12, 2024, 12:05:39 AM
It has potential for best of show.  What a life that must of had.Congratulations on a great find.  There's still some luck left in Vegas.   Did it come with a barrel ?  Jim
Title: Re: Sad end of a fine longrifle
Post by: JTR on June 12, 2024, 12:47:00 AM
What a cool find!
Looks like a Bonewitz to me as well.
Also looks like the front half was wired to the back half at some point as well. Maybe you'll find the front half next year!
John
Title: Re: Sad end of a fine longrifle
Post by: JV Puleo on June 12, 2024, 01:50:00 AM
You could always "restore" it....I'm reminded of something a long time member of the KRA once said about their rifle of the year..."The last time I saw it it was a broken butt stock..."
Title: Re: Sad end of a fine longrifle
Post by: lexington1 on June 12, 2024, 03:49:37 AM
I wonder if it's still shootable?  ;D  I pretty well figured that it was a Bonewitz, although Reedy and Figthorn still muddy the waters a bit for me.
Title: Re: Sad end of a fine longrifle
Post by: J. Talbert on June 12, 2024, 04:34:25 AM
Pretty darn neat.
I’d sooner have that than a number of lesser “whole” surviving guns.

Jeff
Title: Re: Sad end of a fine longrifle
Post by: Mike payne on June 12, 2024, 12:24:50 PM
Still beautiful to look at and wonder what stories it could tell. I would have grabbed it!
Title: Re: Sad end of a fine longrifle
Post by: JTR on June 12, 2024, 06:07:09 PM
You could always "restore" it....I'm reminded of something a long time member of the KRA once said about their rifle of the year..."The last time I saw it it was a broken butt stock..."

Wow, really? Can you post up a picture of that one?
John
Title: Re: Sad end of a fine longrifle
Post by: Fullstock longrifle on June 12, 2024, 09:13:43 PM
You could always "restore" it....I'm reminded of something a long time member of the KRA once said about their rifle of the year..."The last time I saw it it was a broken butt stock..."

Wow, really? Can you post up a picture of that one?
John

Yes, I’d like to see that as well.
Title: Re: Sad end of a fine longrifle
Post by: Eric Kettenburg on June 12, 2024, 10:19:43 PM
First rule of broken buttstock club:  don't point out specific broken buttstocks.
Title: Re: Sad end of a fine longrifle
Post by: Dave B on June 12, 2024, 10:38:55 PM
Well done man! I had the luck of being at my first CLA show and was there with Hersal while he was flipping through the RCA OR KRGA Pointing out rifles he had worked on. One he pointed to was an early piece and said that was just a butt stock and he had an oginial barrel that was a close fit as well as a lock. I would not have guesed that was the case. A piece of history saved
Title: Re: Sad end of a fine longrifle
Post by: Fullstock longrifle on June 12, 2024, 11:10:48 PM
First rule of broken buttstock club:  don't point out specific broken buttstocks.

Very true, but about 50% of the time rumors get spread around about a rifle that might not be so. I like to verify.
Title: Re: Sad end of a fine longrifle
Post by: debnal on June 13, 2024, 01:16:10 AM
Good thought Frank. Too many "experts", and too many restored buttstocks. Need to verify.
Al
Title: Re: Sad end of a fine longrifle
Post by: lexington1 on June 13, 2024, 04:32:15 AM
This one was actually a very fine rifle but I aged it up  ;D
Title: Re: Sad end of a fine longrifle
Post by: Avlrc on June 13, 2024, 04:44:19 PM
This one was actually a very fine rifle but I aged it up  ;D
Good one :)
Title: Re: Sad end of a fine longrifle
Post by: Avlrc on June 13, 2024, 04:45:58 PM
Good thought Frank. Too many "experts", and too many restored buttstocks. Need to verify.
Al
"Trust but Verify" (RR) :)