Henry Mauger

[DaveM]

I am studying an original signed Henry Mauger long gun barrel (barrel only).  It would be interesting to me to determine roughly when he may have made this though I realize that may be impossible other than before his death in 1827.  If anyone on this board collects, or has inspected, a few Maugers and has any knowledge of whether method of making his barrels may have evolved through his career (and knowledge of his barrel maker marks), I'd appreciate any input - feel free to email me directly or share here.  Thanks

[Tanselman]

Dave, You might get more responses if you post information about the barrel. I'd suggest posting the following information on the barrel so people here know what you have:

1. clear picture of signature (also good to have pic of muzzle and breech areas)
2. length of barrel
3. note any indications the barrel may have been shortened, such as moved barrel loops or odd/uneven spacing on barrel loops, any sign of the muzzle or breech being cut or altered in the past
4. bore size, is rifling still visible, number of grooves
5. outside diameter of barrel at muzzle, breech and middle.

Once people know what you have, they may be better able to help you with approximate dating, etc.  Shelby Gallien

[DaveM]

The signature is hard to see in photos but very clear.  Actually I think there is a date to the right of the signature but I can't quite make it out as it is very worn.  The "1" is written like a narrow "V".   The sights appear original to me and were also encrusted with a thick layer of dirt before I cleaned them.   The raised brass teardrop foresight looks almost identical as an early pistol photo I've seen for one of his pistols.  The barrel is 53 or 54-cal. and is octagon for 13-inches from the breach, then wedding bands to round.   Overall length from breach to muzzle is only 34-1/2 inches excluding the tang and I see no obvious indication of being shortened especially if the sight is original.  The octagon portion tapers from 1-inch at the breach to 7/8-inch at the end of the octagon section.  The round section tapers from just under 7/8-inch to just over 3/4-inch at the muzzle.  Barrel wall width at the muzzle is almost 1/8-inch.  It originally had three fasteners to the stock, the forward 2 are gone, filed off.   You can tell exactly where they were though.  They appear to have been pin fastened to the stock based on the surviving one.  The foremost fastener was 2-inches from the muzzle.  Then the other two were spaced 11-1/2 inches center to center towards the rear.  The "M"  maker mark under the barrel is almost certainly Mauger himself.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z228/DaveM_bucket/mauger007.jpg
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z228/DaveM_bucket/mauger009.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z228/DaveM_bucket/mauger016.jpg
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z228/DaveM_bucket/mauger010.jpg
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z228/DaveM_bucket/mauger011.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z228/DaveM_bucket/mauger012.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z228/DaveM_bucket/mauger013.jpg
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z228/DaveM_bucket/mauger015.jpg

[DaveM]

After a little more cleaning, I do not think there is a date to the right of the signature.  not sure what the small "V" mark is, maybe just nicks.

[Stophel]

OK, the rear sight may be original, but it is in backwards!   

[mr. no gold]

Once upon a time, this barrel was in a fine rifle. It is the first half round Mauger in my own experience. His rifles are few and far between and I have had no more than four or five in my hands over the many years I have been looking at PA rifles. Almost all had exceptionally long barrels and were quite slender. They were big bore, rifled guns. Mauger's work was distinctive and well executed making his work very attractive.
This one looks like it could be a late 1700s piece (1790) and probably was a smooth rifle; whether it had a patch box or not, we will never know. Thank you for showing it around.
Dick