Trying to ID a gun

[JCB]

I am looking to learn more about a gun. I was told that the maker might be E. Loomis. I will get some photos and post them.

Here is a link to some images http://www.flickr.com/photos/jcb475/

[eddillon]

There NY guns by Loomis.

[eddillon]

Earl Loomis, b.1798 d. 1872.  Lived in Loomis Corners, town of Hamilton, NY.  Books have been written about the "Loomis Gang" and the swamp around Loomis Corners they controlled.  Several Loomis guns are pictured in Swinney's NEW YORK STATE FIREARMS TRADE.  An Ephriam Loomis of Mount Morris, NY is also mentioned in NYSFT.  He from Mass.  B. abt 1812.  Listed as a carpenter in NYS census 1855 and as a gunsmith in the 1860 Federal census. 

[Robby]

Mt. Morris is about fifteen miles from me. do they give a street address? Might be interesting to see what is there now. Do they cross-index the makers by town? It would be interesting to see if there are any listed from Avon, N.Y..
Robby

[eddillon]

Here are some pix of Earl Loomis rifles.  compliments of Swinney's NYSFT

The Loomis home as it appeared in the Winter of 1994

[eddillon]

After looking at the pictures you posted, IMHO it is an Earl Loomis.  Nice example.  Nice find.  I am jealous.
Ed

[JCB]

Thanks for all the great information and picture. I'll have to google the Loomis Gang. Any idea on value?

[nord]

Value is anybody's guess. Just don't plan your retirement on the piece.

Loomis Gang? Look up the Nine Mile Swamp. Location is just south of Waterville, NY

42*53'48" / 75*24'02" and southward. It doesn't look that big from Google Earth, but I assure you that I'd not wish to venture therein a century ago. Especially if I were to be unwelcome!

[Dale Campbell]

They hid in the swamp. But they held sway from Lake Ontario almost down to the PA border, and almost as much in width. Robbery and the occasional murder.

[eddillon]

Used to explore the periphery of Nine Mile Swamp when I was young.  Didn't venture too far in the trees because the fear of the Loomis Gang remained quite strong even in the mid 1950s!!

[nord]

Ed,

Strange you should mention the 50's as it appears we were exploring around the swamp at about the same time.  While the Nine Mile doesn't look like much from Rt 12, a couple hundred feet into the bog changes one's perception. What looks like an easy traverse could be nearly impossible.

The tales I've heard are pretty much in line with what you describe. Mostly horse thieves the Loomis gang. Once in awhile violence, but mostly just plain theft.

I never detected any fear of going near the swamp, other than for it being what it is... A hot buggy tangle of trees, briars, and bog in the summer and a place best suited for wild beasts in the winter. Strange we never had a Nine Mile Monster.

Best,

B 

[JCB]

I have another old gun that is all rusty because it was stored in a moist crawl space. What is the best thing to put on it to stop the rusting?  It will never shoot again, but it might look okay over a fireplace.

[JCKelly]

I'm glad you posted this. Now I will have to do some ancestry.com digging, for possible upgrade to Michigan Gunsmiths.
There was a B.G. Loomis, born NY 1853, who worked in Carson City, Montcalm County, Michigan. Also a Charles E. Loomis, born in NY 1853. Worked in Sparta Centre, Kent County, Michigan.
So, I wunner if they were related to Earl?

[eddillon]

Earl's siblings were many.  They operated on a different side of the law.  Some took time out to fleece gold miners in California and then returned to central New York. They lived in Oneida and Madison counties in NY.  At one time they were far more powerful and intimidating than any other gang in North America.  If you are interested in a little history and have the time (a little over an hour), go to this video link: http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=3&sqi=2&ved=0CDgQtwIwAg&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.snagfilms.com%2Ffilms%2Ftitle%2Fthe_loomis_gang&ei=byN_T6jSG5DKiQKRgK2cAw&usg=AFQjCNGTc8ZqHUyHAH4Xp9woJyKU-F2EUg&sig2=IuBXW83K7NF5rqL4plHKXg

[eddillon]

To stop the rust and protect the metal, try TSI-301.  You can purchase a spray can at www.neconos.com.  Not gummy, anti-static, displaces moistureand won't harm wood or leather.