Halfstock - Any Comments or ideas?

[nord]

Owner would appreciate any info you might have on his rifle. Maker? General area of manufacture? Rough estimate of d.o.m.?

[halfstock]

Lehman.

Halfstock

[nord]

A very late rifle. Perhaps as late as the 1880's though I'd probably just opine Civil WAR or somewhat after. Commercial hardware was readily available at hardware stores of the time. Inlays are reminders of a time past but not specific to any particular school or tradition.

Not a Leman in my opinion for a lot of reasons. Fact is I somewhat doubt a PA rifle. Obviously the signature being primary. General architecture is somewhat different and the lock is not what I'd expect. Inlays the same as they don't ring of a Lancaster Leman.

A nicer late rifle in good condition. Not really a Pennsylvania long rifle but still a good representation of a nice working rifle of the third quarter of the 1800's.

[halfstock]

ashmore lock is a replacement, not original to the rifle.

[louieparker]

 I see nothing that would make me doubt the originality of the lock.

[J.D.]

Would the overly large cutout for the bolster suggest that the lock is a replacement?

[Curt J]

The overly large cutout for the bolster suggests to me that the bolster (in this case a drum) is a replacement, rather than the lock.  This rifle could easily date as early as the 1850's, and is not necessarily post-Civil War, although it could be.  It appears well-made and rather elegant. I suspect that the maker was trained in New York State, although this rifle could have been made farther west.

[Majorjoel]

I would agree with Curt on the New York State origin. There is a half stock target rifle on a site I will include a link to that has a very similar bird cheek inlay. The rifle on that site has a signed lock by Moore & Son NY. Maybe no help, but a clue nonetheless. The flying bird inlay is a bit out of the ordinary in my opinion. http://rhbantiques.com/Firearms.html

[louieparker]

JD It could indicate replacement, However the flat area around the lock looks real good .      I would rather think the drum was a later piece and the plate had been changed . All these things are impossible t.o know for sure from a photo .Sometimes even when looking at the gun .

[J.D.]

Yes, a replacement bolster makes sense. 
Thanks and God bless

[jwh1947]

Some of you mention New York, and I subscribe to that notion.  Could it be George Blackman?  I once saw a 1/2 stock signed that way, and it had a similar guard, as I recall.  Has anyone seen others, or another 1/2 stock so signed?  I'm not attributing, but rather asking at present if you can rule out.  Wayne

[tomwebb24]

HI, I am the  owner of  the half stock any comments or Ideas rifle.The barrel  is signed G*C*B* Could it  have been George Blackman? Thanks for any ideas. tomwebb24