AmericanLongRifles Forums

General discussion => Antique Gun Collecting => Topic started by: Tradegun on December 20, 2024, 08:14:23 AM

Title: J.M. Caswell Percussion bench rifle
Post by: Tradegun on December 20, 2024, 08:14:23 AM
J.M. Caswell, Lansingburgh, NY Percussion bench rifle 12.4 pounds.

(https://i.ibb.co/k3nBppS/IMG-7265.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Q8BQZZK)

(https://i.ibb.co/YkP8rWp/IMG-7266.jpg) (https://ibb.co/R0YP5Sz)

(https://i.ibb.co/jVbrsq4/IMG-7268.jpg) (https://ibb.co/B4cCFvs)

(https://i.ibb.co/DL35ZkD/IMG-7269.jpg) (https://ibb.co/wYDMfCN)

(https://i.ibb.co/xCD5nqY/IMG-7270.jpg) (https://ibb.co/JBKkYjq)

(https://i.ibb.co/TRwYVkW/IMG-7279.jpg) (https://ibb.co/92pcFNZ)
Title: Re: J.M. Caswell Percussion bench rifle
Post by: Shreckmeister on December 20, 2024, 03:20:26 PM
I like the patriotic theme. Is it unusual to set up a bench rifle with a single trigger?  This one is not what I’m used to seeing with that name on it. Worth reading up on him I think. Where is some good reference on Caswell?
Title: Re: J.M. Caswell Percussion bench rifle
Post by: Seth Isaacson on December 20, 2024, 05:20:03 PM
Looks like it might have a modified single set trigger?
Title: Re: J.M. Caswell Percussion bench rifle
Post by: Joe Stein on December 21, 2024, 01:23:35 AM
Quote from: Seth Isaacson on December 20, 2024, 05:20:03 PM
Looks like it might have a modified single set trigger?
It certainly looks to me like an adjustment screw forward of the trigger, just next to the trigger guard bow.
Title: Re: J.M. Caswell Percussion bench rifle
Post by: Tradegun on December 21, 2024, 02:33:58 AM
Yes you are right it does have a set trigger!
Title: Re: J.M. Caswell Percussion bench rifle
Post by: Hudnut on December 21, 2024, 04:20:17 AM
Originally flint?
Title: Re: J.M. Caswell Percussion bench rifle
Post by: JTR on December 21, 2024, 06:42:59 PM
Quote from: Hudnut on December 21, 2024, 04:20:17 AM
Originally flint?

Doesn't look like it.

That's a nice rifle, and looks like it would be fun to shoot!

John
Title: Re: J.M. Caswell Percussion bench rifle
Post by: rich pierce on December 21, 2024, 06:45:51 PM
The lock looks like a waterproof flintlock to me but I don’t see filled holes for frizzen spring mounting. Hard to say if someone had an old flint lock plate never finished then used it to make a percussion lock.
Title: Re: J.M. Caswell Percussion bench rifle
Post by: Bob Roller on December 21, 2024, 07:50:58 PM
Whatever it Is or WAS I like it and if I ever make another rifle this is the style I like and not hard to copy.A quality lock needs no set trigger and I have wondered about why the old ones are so often seen with set triggers and the ones that have to have the trigger set before the lock can be cocked are bad idea then and now.Thanks for showing this one.
Bob Roller
Title: Re: J.M. Caswell Percussion bench rifle
Post by: Hudnut on December 22, 2024, 03:12:46 PM
The lock is certainly styled like a flintlock.  Inspection of the inside of the lockplate might reveal plugged holes.  Looks as if the stock is inlet to clear a flint cock.
Title: Re: J.M. Caswell Percussion bench rifle
Post by: Uncle Miltie on January 31, 2025, 02:21:42 AM
The Caswells  (Eli, John and James) were prolific makers of fine quality rifles in New York state.
Their first shop was in Lansingburgh (possibly 2 shops) and later in Albany.
Looks like your rifle was originally built as a flintlock and converted by someone else to percussion.  The Caswells built high quality rifles with patent or forged breeches instead of drums which were lower quality.
Fine rifle you have there. 
Your rifle was shot from a plank and could be called a plank rifle.
Title: Re: J.M. Caswell Percussion bench rifle
Post by: Daryl on February 03, 2025, 10:13:17 PM
Here it is, being shot.

(https://i.ibb.co/fdFZ3dXp/Plankshoot-1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/7tCB3tSW)