AmericanLongRifles Forums

General discussion => Antique Gun Collecting => Topic started by: BigSkyRambler on April 03, 2025, 01:03:14 AM

Title: Fancy Left-Handed Gentleman's Hunting Rifle
Post by: BigSkyRambler on April 03, 2025, 01:03:14 AM

Trying to ID proofs on this 12 gauge European Hunting rifle. I'm thinking a gentleman's, possibly an officer's,  rifle, as there is no ramrod.  Probably had a bearer and loader. Any help with proofs appreciated.
(https://i.ibb.co/mVXdDbCc/20250401-145601.jpg) (https://ibb.co/nNn4g6sL)

(https://i.ibb.co/21FQLq00/20250401-145059.jpg) (https://ibb.co/ksGfrKVV)

(https://i.ibb.co/DHRLbdZM/20250401-143937.jpg) (https://ibb.co/KprmGnJs)

(https://i.ibb.co/7ts7f7V5/20250401-143930.jpg) (https://ibb.co/RTRLFLPm)

(https://i.ibb.co/V0nz7Rf6/20250401-144352.jpg) (https://ibb.co/WN8MbZmC)

(https://i.ibb.co/KcgvYv8T/20250401-144947.jpg) (https://ibb.co/ZRrD3Dbq)

(https://i.ibb.co/LDSZg3Cy/20250401-143259.jpg) (https://ibb.co/zWs42zSg)

Title: Re: Fancy Left-Handed Gentleman's Hunting Rifle
Post by: WKevinD on April 03, 2025, 01:16:08 AM

I sure hope someone has more info about this piece.

Kevin

Title: Re: Fancy Left-Handed Gentleman's Hunting Rifle
Post by: BigSkyRambler on April 03, 2025, 02:24:58 AM

Me too.

Title: Re: Fancy Left-Handed Gentleman's Hunting Rifle
Post by: Daryl on April 03, 2025, 08:19:04 PM

I count 10 grooves. Pretty cool and thin walled muzzle.
Doesn't appear to have been  "filed" out.

Title: Re: Fancy Left-Handed Gentleman's Hunting Rifle
Post by: rich pierce on April 03, 2025, 09:03:52 PM

There’s a chance it’s straight rifled. Large bore guns of that period often had fast twists. Very fast sometimes.

Title: Re: Fancy Left-Handed Gentleman's Hunting Rifle
Post by: BigSkyRambler on April 04, 2025, 12:57:59 AM

Twist is a little more than 1:66.

Title: Re: Fancy Left-Handed Gentleman's Hunting Rifle
Post by: Pukka Bundook on April 04, 2025, 06:51:52 AM

No ramrod means there is a decent chance it was used from a hunting pavillion Big Sky.
These were placed throughout the forest and game driven by them.  I don't think it's a target rifle, being that bore size and a thinnish barrel.
Very nice gun and if it was French, it would be Empire period with that trigger guard one would imagine.

Best,
R.

Title: Re: Fancy Left-Handed Gentleman's Hunting Rifle
Post by: BigSkyRambler on April 04, 2025, 02:21:12 PM

Pukka. It does have several French attributes, as the Googleverse has shown. I see that upholstered cheekpiece on a number of hunting rifles, including some by LePage, but his guns are clearly marked. Do you know if proofs are French?

Title: Re: Fancy Left-Handed Gentleman's Hunting Rifle
Post by: Pukka Bundook on April 04, 2025, 04:16:14 PM

Big Sjky,
No, I do not know any French proofs, but the buttplate with wrap around looks very French to me.