AmericanLongRifles Forums

General discussion => Antique Gun Collecting => Topic started by: WKevinD on March 07, 2025, 04:10:05 AM

Title: A recent find
Post by: WKevinD on March 07, 2025, 04:10:05 AM

44" oct to round barrel with an illegible signature. Doesn't look like it's been messed with.

Kevin
(https://i.ibb.co/fzWXkyRt/New1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/PvyrcPp4)

(https://i.ibb.co/21W7h1nQ/New4.jpg) (https://ibb.co/VcJW9cjZ)

(https://i.ibb.co/ymdFnZgF/New6.jpg) (https://ibb.co/xKXqSBzq)

(https://i.ibb.co/Q3YrVp8B/New3.jpg) (https://ibb.co/G4CcDnsw)

Title: Re: A recent find
Post by: 120RIR on March 07, 2025, 04:25:09 AM

More photos and details would be great!

Title: Re: A recent find
Post by: Stoner creek on March 07, 2025, 04:35:08 AM

Great find!

Title: Re: A recent find
Post by: WKevinD on March 07, 2025, 04:39:12 AM

These are all the pictures I have at this point, I just walked in the door with it this afternoon, The barrel measures .51 caliber, smoothbore, with very low front and rear sight, no cheek piece on the curly maple stock, cracked toe held on with toeplate. full length wear plate at the forearm.
Kevin

(https://i.ibb.co/cc5Wm0NZ/New2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/rGPBWYZz)

(https://i.ibb.co/HLSDhfQv/New5.jpg) (https://ibb.co/8nCDYLV3)

Title: Re: A recent find
Post by: Avlrc on March 07, 2025, 06:57:18 AM

I think the signature is J B.

Title: Re: A recent find
Post by: Bigmon on March 07, 2025, 05:13:48 PM

Very nice find!!

Title: Re: A recent find
Post by: 120RIR on March 07, 2025, 05:40:17 PM

The characters are highly stylized but they might be the same but with differing wear?  Is the top of the photo the breech end?

Title: Re: A recent find
Post by: JTR on March 07, 2025, 07:22:47 PM

I'm seeing SB, and a Samual Baum gun.
Remembering La Master has a couple for sale, take a look. Similar signature, side plate, etc as the signed one shown in La Master Feb sales, and the unsigned one below that one.
https://lamasterarms.com/pages/virtual-show

Of course, I might be wrong!
Nice gun, none the less.
John

Title: Re: A recent find
Post by: Eric Kettenburg on March 07, 2025, 09:08:30 PM

Moe (me) agrees with JTR, probably Baum.  Definitely looks like an 'up the river' gun regardless.

Title: Re: A recent find
Post by: Bob Roller on March 08, 2025, 01:15:18 AM

Has any checked to see if it's loaded yet????
Bob Roller

Title: Re: A recent find
Post by: WKevinD on March 08, 2025, 02:12:07 AM

Thanks Bob, not loaded, I also think Baum.
The biggest take away with this; "we are building our guns too big". This gun is .50 but "dainty"
I've already talked to Jason about replicating this barrel  Holding this gun at the forearm, it is clear that this is a Union County slim smooth rifle is worth emulating.
Wish me luck.

Kevin

Title: Re: A recent find
Post by: Ats5331 on March 08, 2025, 02:32:41 AM

Agree with John and Eric. Sideplate looks like a Baum as does the signature

Title: Re: A recent find
Post by: Eric Kettenburg on March 08, 2025, 04:54:59 AM

Yes, a lot of these later rifles and even many of the earlier Federal era pieces are absolute sticks.  What we build now tend to be much fuller and rounder - no anorexics.

Title: Re: A recent find
Post by: Buck on March 08, 2025, 01:01:43 PM

Nice find, check the rear ramrod entry pipe - is there a rivet?

Buck

Title: Re: A recent find
Post by: jdm on March 08, 2025, 04:22:11 PM

The tell tale rivet.  Good question Buck.

Title: Re: A recent find
Post by: WKevinD on March 08, 2025, 04:47:48 PM

Yes, the rivet is there.
I was just visiting someone yesterday near New Berlin PA  and he pointed it out to me.
Eric the main thing that comes to mind when this is held "we build our guns way too thick and clunky"

Kevin

(https://i.ibb.co/9HDBVbVh/rear-pipe.jpg) (https://ibb.co/v4FfQ3Qh)

Title: Re: A recent find
Post by: bama on March 08, 2025, 07:14:09 PM

Post like this is why I love this forum and collecting long rifles.   :)

Title: Re: A recent find
Post by: 120RIR on March 08, 2025, 10:04:27 PM

My ignorance is on full display yet again.  What is the significance of that rivet?

Title: Re: A recent find
Post by: rich pierce on March 08, 2025, 10:24:55 PM

Quote from: 120RIR on March 08, 2025, 10:04:27 PM

My ignorance is on full display yet again.  What is the significance of that rivet?

Builder eccentricity that adds further to the attribution, I’m guessing.

Title: Re: A recent find
Post by: JTR on March 08, 2025, 10:58:50 PM

The rivet was something he used to strengthen the RR pipe to the return join. His alone, I believe.

Title: Re: A recent find
Post by: jdm on March 09, 2025, 12:52:38 AM

[quote author=120RIR li
My ignorance is on full display yet again.  What is the significance of that rivet?                                                                       
 
]It is one of the characteristics  of an Upper Susquehanna made rifle .It's found on most rifles from that area. Combine it with other characteristics ,  architecture of the rifle and the horned lock bolt plate ect.  Kind of like the trigger guard nob is to Lehigh guns.  Jim

Title: Re: A recent find
Post by: EGG17601 on March 09, 2025, 01:19:07 AM

I feel like those Upper Susquehanna sideplates need a nickname, like "screaming bat."