Another New York Rifle With an Interesting Provenance

[Tanselman]

New York rifles really get around. Here's another one, this time the personal rifle of Jim Bowie of Alamo fame, and reportedly used at the Alamo. And if you like it, the dealer also has Bowie's personal knife carried at the Alamo. For years these later percussion NY rifles had little value, but now they keep popping up with great provenances and big price tags.

Check out: https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/rifles/antique-rifles-percussion/percussion-rifle-50-caliber-jim-bowie.cfm?gun_id=101523774

Shelby Gallien

[WESTbury]

If you are going to make up a story to sell something, it might as well be a whopper!

Although, whoever was the author of this tale missed a golden opportunity, with the word "Buffalo" being stamped in the barrel, to tie the rifle to Buffalo Bill as well.

[Avlrc]

JB, could of been ole Jim Beams rifle, but guess he would of had a Kentucky made long rifle.  I will say Bowie took real nice care of this rifle.  I kind figured his rifle would of been a lil ruffer..

[rich pierce]

Well he probably liked Buffalo so why not get a gun from there?
This one is right up there with the purported John Baird-endorses “J&S Hawken”.

[WESTbury]

with the word "Buffalo" being stamped in the barrel, to tie the rifle to Buffalo Bill as well.

Better yet, how about Buffalo Bob who, while fighting along side Jim Bowie and Crockett during the Battle of Bunker Hill, uttered the famous words: "Hey kids, what time is it?"

[Daniel Coats]

Here's a link to the equally impressive knife.

https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/gun-parts-accessories/knives-bowie/jim-bowie-knife.cfm?gun_id=101523757




And last but not least my favorite Gary Larson cartoon of all time!

[hanshi]

 

[OLUT]

The gun looks like it was PROBABLY made by Joseph Haberstro of Buffalo, NY .... don't ask about the sights ( but I bet the rear one covers Haberstro's name )

[vanu]

Sigh....

[Majorjoel]

Seller would like "serious inquiries only"     I have a tendency to giggle too much in such an attempt!

[Steve Collward]

This rifle could also be by James Robson who also worked in Buffalo.  It is not uncommon to find is name and "Buffalo" stamped at an angle.
As Olut points out, the name may be covered by the rear sight.

[Tanselman]

The rifle most probably was made by Joseph Haberstro. He worked earlier in Buffalo, 1832-1844, and used curly maple frequently, while Robson was a late maker ca. 1850-1851 in Buffalo making primarily walnut half-stocked NY style rifles. I'd date this rifle to about 1835-1840, too early for Robson. Haberstro also used a rear pipe with a short, pointed rear flange as seen on this rifle, an identical lock bolt washer and butt plate, and double rings/bands at ends of his pipes as seen here. It sure looks like a Haberstro rifle to me.  Shelby Gallien

[Bigmon]

When my Dad was in the pacific in a fox hole fighting the Japs John Wayne jumped in beside him.  Dad aid, "is that you John ?".  Wayne replied "Yea, it's me Tom."  I actually had a neighbor that used to tell that whopper!.  But the Alamo is sacred.