First Antique Percussion rifle GREAT Christmas Present

[jfroning]

Hello to all and thanks for accepting me.  I received my first antique percussion rifle from my wife and family for Christmas this weekend.  I have been working to try and identify it and have been reading the many threads here on the subject.  I own a reproduction .54 St. Louis Hawken and a .44 Revolver, both of which I use during Deer season here in Missouri.  OK, on to the gun...

It is a half-stock percussion which was purchased at a flea market in my area.  Here are some stats.

Barrell Length:  33 5/16" Octagon w/3" tang
Caliber:  .36 to .40 (not sure)
Double-set triggers

Barrell markings:  M POWERS    CLEVE****
Gun was tagged as having been from 1850s Ohio
unable to find any specific markings on the Lock, although decorative pattern is partially visible.
Lock bolt on left side has a small brass comma shaped "washer" plate

Thanks for you input and all of the valuable information here.  My apologies if I haven't provided enough information.

Sincerely
Jeff

[JV Puleo]

What a nice Christmas present! Its probably Michael Powers of Cleveland Ohio. Sellers gives his working dates, under his own name, as 1857 to 1870 although he continued in business with his brother from 1870 to 1883 and with his son from 1883 to 1885.

Thats the basic information and, while Sellers is a useful source, it would probably be worthwhile to follow up on this with some more specific work on Ohio makers. Much of Sellers information was taken from secondary sources so a survey of Cleveland city directories etc may well give more specific information.

It sounds like a very conventional percussion "general purpose" rifle. If you post some pictures I am sure there are others here who can tell you much more than I can as this is way out of my area of specialization but plain rifles of this type retained a great degree of popularity right into the late 1880s.

[msmith]

Ohio Gunsmiths & Allied Tradesmen .by Hutslar Vol. I page 170-171.. Michael Powers (1825-) Cleveland. 1857 Union St. at 1859 Superior, Union Lane,41 Union Street. Also, 1860 Michael Powers ,35, gunsmith, born in Ireland,wife Bridget,26, born in Ireland.Eldest child, Daniel, 7 born in Ohio. Also in household was a Thomas Powers, listed as a Gunsmith. Cleveland,ward 3.

[jfroning]

Here are some Pics...






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Not nearly as beautiful as some of the specimens here... but it is a start.

[RobertS]

Very cool, and thanks for sharing it with us!

[JTR]

That looks like a plenty fine Christmas present to me!
And seems that maybe you have the maker worked out, so it's a signed rifle to boot!
Plus you've got to have a really understanding wife and family, so yeah, all in all, I'd say a really good Christmas present!

John

[jdm]

Pretty cool gift!  Not to many guys get an antique long gun for Christmas.

[jfroning]

Thank you for the info.  I guess my next questions are... 

1. What type of cleaning can I do?
2. The hammer does not pull back and lock into position, should I take the lock out?
3. Should I lubricate the metal to keep it from rusting further?
4. What kind of work can be done to reveal the engravings on the lock?
5. I know that i should not "polish" but can I clean the inside of the barrell with typical muzzleloading practice, less the soap and hot water used on my modern percussion?

I just want to make sure that I am not degrading the quality or "history" of the rifle itself.

I am impressed by the knowledge conveyed here in the posts, an unbelievable amount. 

Thanks Again,
Jeff

[Dennis Glazener]

My thoughts on 1, 3 and 4 is to use Renaissance Wax
( http://www.888knivesrus.com/category/allbrands.renaissancewaxpolish/ ) on a terry cloth or similar cloth. This cleans the metal/wood and puts a protective cover on it. Repeat as often as you like.
Dennis

[jfroning]

Thank you Dennis for the information.

Hopefully at some point I will be a contributor to the site, not just a "user" of it.  There are several other mid to late 19th century arms at the same flea market, One is a double barrell shotgun.  Will be going to check those out further over the next several days.

Jeff

[Joe Stein]

jfroning wrote: "Thank you for the info.  I guess my next questions are... "

My number one question would be "Is it loaded?"

[jfroning]

No it is not loaded.. thankfully....

[WElliott]

Welcome to the fraternity.  I received my first antique longrifle for Christmas 53 years ago (when I was still a child, of course). That started me on a wonderful hobby which has brought me great enjoyment and many wonderful friends.  You have much to look forward to! Merry Christmas, indeed.
Wayne