AmericanLongRifles Forums

General discussion => Antique Gun Collecting => Topic started by: WV-WenderMan on May 07, 2025, 02:34:02 AM

Title: Va Patchbox?
Post by: WV-WenderMan on May 07, 2025, 02:34:02 AM

A Heart piercing and an acorn finial.  Shenandoah valley gun? Hampshire county?  I believe it’s a restock.  Constructive feedback is appreciated!

(https://i.ibb.co/Kc5C6RbH/IMG-5418.jpg) (https://ibb.co/gbrsyHmC)

Title: Re: Va Patchbox?
Post by: Avlrc on May 07, 2025, 03:09:56 AM

Most of the later Hampshire County rifles' patchbox lids were friction.  Britton did use a push button on the bottom—some similarity to the patchbox page 64, West Virginia Gunsmiths. Amos Fisher is the only gunsmith in Virginia I can think of who used a heart in at least one of his rifle patchbox finials. Not close but page 97 Gunsmiths of Virginia. The double line incised on the stock is used in HC. The nose does not look HC. More photos would be helpful.

Title: Re: Va Patchbox?
Post by: WV-WenderMan on May 07, 2025, 03:33:47 AM

If it were a Britton, I’m sure others would have scarfed it up.

Title: Re: Va Patchbox?
Post by: Avlrc on May 07, 2025, 03:41:34 AM

I think Britton is a long shot. There are not enough clues to interpret. :) Does it have a front sling swivel? It looks like a rear sling button, like a Jaeger rifle may have. 

Title: Re: Va Patchbox?
Post by: Shreckmeister on May 07, 2025, 04:16:51 AM

Do you have additional photos?

Title: Re: Va Patchbox?
Post by: homerifle on May 07, 2025, 05:23:28 AM

As said additional pictures should help to determine where it was made. The stock has the look for a H. C. gun. However, the box engraving is like none that I have seen on H.C. acorn box guns. Also, the hinge segment on H.C. guns are normally formed the full bottom width of the patch box finial. The only exception I have seen are on Ward rifles where his hinge is made the same way but reversed and is mounted with the hinge segment facing down leaving a smooth surface on the patch box. Your hinge is formed only the width of the lid, and the same width of the lid is formed on the finial. Not normally seen on H.C. guns. There can always be an exception, and this would be the first.

Title: Re: Va Patchbox?
Post by: Avlrc on May 07, 2025, 05:56:15 AM

Shepherdstown, WV, (Sheetz) makers used a short or lid-width hinge.

Title: Re: Va Patchbox?
Post by: homerifle on May 07, 2025, 03:43:15 PM

Quote from: Avlrc on May 07, 2025, 05:56:15 AM

Shepherdstown, WV, (Sheetz) makers used a short or lid-width hinge.

Avlrc is correct, so without more pictures look in that direction for now.

Title: Re: Va Patchbox?
Post by: bluenoser on May 07, 2025, 08:32:53 PM

The recently posted James Teaff rifle has a similar hinge,
https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=84487.msg827415#msg827415