Another ID this rifle post, please

[billd]

Can anyone share some info on the gun pictured below.  It belongs to a friend of mine.  Barrel is octagon to round, a little less than 3/4 at the breech and about 5/8 at the muzzle. Looks to be about. 36 caliber, 38" long.  The barrel is so small the under rib looks out of proportion.  I have no history on the gun.

The pictures aren't the best.  I could get better ones next week if needed.

Thanks,
Bill

[Curt J]

It's Midwestern. That "C. S. WELLS  EVANSVILLE" lock is Evansville, Indiana.  I've seen several of them over the years.

[billd]

So I can assume that the lock was sold by a hardware store in Evansville so the gun was most likely made locally to that area?

Thanks,
Bill

[Tanselman]

I'd be hesitant to call this an Indiana, or Midwest, gun based on the lock plate. The gun has much stronger Pennsylvania characteristics, and is likely from that state. While the lock appears to have a good fit, I am not sure it is original to the gun. This is based on the uneven amount of side facing wood around the plate; while appearing good across the bottom, the wood almost disappears above the back half of the lock plate...often a sign of a changed lock that is slightly taller than the original plate. I also think it's slightly odd that there is stock wood erosion above the lock at the breech, but not forward of the percussion drum, possibly indicating minor restoration in that area that might hide a lock replacement. I'd speculate it's a PA gun and not from the midwest based on the patchbox and couple of inlays present. The long two screw tang may be an old repair of a shorter original tang (note its uneven width), so should not be used when trying to locate the gun. Shelby Gallien

[woodsrunner]

I'm not qualified to comment on the rifle, but the table it's resting on is made out of American Chestnut, and predates the introduction of the Chestnut Blight in the early 1900's. It's a beautiful piece of furniture!

[Curt J]

Shelby, a point well taken.  I was in a hurry when I looked at the pictures earlier, and did not consider that it might not be the original lock.  It's pretty hard to tell from the picture. Locks with Eastern markings are common everywhere, but locks with Midwestern markings are seldom seen on guns made very far east of where they originated.  On the other hand, there were a significant number of Pennsylvania, and other Eastern makers, who later moved west but never changed their style at all.  They kept right on making rifles that looked like what they had always made. 

[billd]

Thank you,  The owner will be thrilled with this info.

Bill