Hello again. I have an original J. Fordney rifle in original condition I thought you would like to see.
According to Melchoir Fordney's will, Jacob was his brother. Jacob advertised in The Columbia Spy on June 23, 1830 as a gun maker, repairer, and alterations to percussion ignition.
He advertised in The Pittsburgh Gazette on Oct. 24, 1835 for 15-20 journeyman gunmakers to work in his Lancaster manufactory for constant employment and good wages. This was a pretty big business even before H. E. Leman [Melchoir's apprentice] started his factory.
This is a very light rifle with a near .454cal 40in. long 7/8in. straight tapered barrel that measures .873in. at the breach and .189in. at the muzzle. It has straight rifling. LOP is 13 3/8in.
Hope you enjoy the pictures and can anyone identify the lock?
