AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Antique Gun Collecting => Topic started by: Unclebob on October 08, 2025, 04:28:35 PM
-
I picked up this rifle recently, off a friend, who'd had trouble selling it, due to the repairs. I managed to stabilise the repair, without removing the old brass work, which, I think adds a lot of character.
Do you think that this may be a Kentucky made gun, specifically from the 'Barren' school of makers? Looking at the plain finish, lack of patch box etc? No makers name on the gun, but lock has H.Elwell.
(https://i.ibb.co/hxmXttpn/20250813-152046.jpg) (https://ibb.co/JWsxMMXb)
(https://i.ibb.co/XxYXjpLz/20250813-151126.jpg) (https://ibb.co/WvVnGF5c)
(https://i.ibb.co/twprB8ch/20250813-151639.jpg) (https://ibb.co/LDd7Sn6P)
(https://i.ibb.co/Ndh3rwtm/20250813-152614.jpg) (https://ibb.co/4nyf2BKY)
(https://i.ibb.co/8LSg2Hvj/20250813-152605.jpg) (https://ibb.co/q3PY9vqR)
-
Nice working rifle despite wrist repair. I do not believe this is a Kentucky gun, despite its plainness similar to Barrens School rifles. I have never seen this style lock bolt washer on a Kentucky gun, and there is a slight "fish belly" in the lower butt line which is rare on Kentucky guns. The side facings are a bit long, i.e., stretches past front and back ends of lock, more than normal on a Kentucky gun, and the percussion drum or side lug has a round head screw for the clean-out port, when most Kentucky guns with a clean-out port have a square shape on the end for a wrench, or at times just two opposing flats, for same purpose. Nice gun, but it does not appear to be from Kentucky.
Placing the gun would be easier if we had pictures of the full rear butt with cheekpiece, and also the tang. From placement of the rear sight and ramrod pipes, it looks like you have a full original barrel, so please check the top barrel flat several inches behind the rear sight to see if there is any trace of a maker's name or initials... that would quickly solve the mystery.
If I had to make a guess on where the gun was made, based just on what I can currently seen, I probably lean toward Ohio. That's based on the shape of the triggers (decent but a bit "clunky") and the slight fish-belly in the lower butt line, along with moderate length barrel. If from KY, I'd expect to see a bit longer barrel on the gun.
Shelby Gallien
-
Many thanks for your input. A couple more photos!
(https://i.ibb.co/8gtVRPyW/20251009-162128.jpg) (https://ibb.co/RTdWMQXx)
(https://i.ibb.co/0RZTJVd1/20251009-161858.jpg) (https://ibb.co/67bzsJfG)
(https://i.ibb.co/0V1sWvMz/20251009-162033.jpg) (https://ibb.co/5xCKzw8J)
-
Once I saw the toeplate with its patchbox release hole, it convinced me it's all recycled parts, or a full restock except with a new lock and sideplate to make a more "modern" gun from an older flintlock.
Kevin