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Author Topic: Old David Morton  (Read 2821 times)

Offline Lucky R A

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Old David Morton
« on: July 31, 2021, 02:29:43 PM »
         Living in the western half of PA I often get request for guns from that geographic area.  While most are for the later Golden Age style rifles, this client chose a very early gun.  David Morton was a prolific maker and produced some very nice elaborately finished guns.  This gun attributed to him must have been some of his very early work.  I had the pleasure of working on the original when it was owned by a gentleman in Clarion, PA.   The original was a big heavy early gun  ruggedly and simply built with no extra frills, the kind of gun that would put meat on the table and stand up to a battle. 
          this gun was built with an above average piece of maple, the carving is simple incised carving as was the originals.  The two piece patchbox is simple and efficient. The design is atypical for a Western PA gun, and has no engraving.  This is a 58 cal. rifle with a 44" Rice barrel. ready to take on any PA big game.    Ron











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Offline rich pierce

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Re: Old David Morton
« Reply #1 on: July 31, 2021, 03:10:19 PM »
Very cool and appealing. I’d never seen examples of his early work, so thanks for that too.
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Offline Shreckmeister

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Re: Old David Morton
« Reply #2 on: July 31, 2021, 03:41:42 PM »
That’s a Very appealing rifle. Morton is a maker that I’d like to know more about. The patchbox puts me in mind of the Moll family rifles. A friend has a super fancy Morton that if I recall correctly was made for a PA Governer and it’s a stunner. Beautiful work on this Ron. Keep them coming.
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Offline wattlebuster

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Re: Old David Morton
« Reply #3 on: July 31, 2021, 05:41:50 PM »
I like that rifle alot ;D Excellent work
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Offline hanshi

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Re: Old David Morton
« Reply #4 on: July 31, 2021, 09:16:58 PM »
Elegant and gorgeous; all one needs.
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Offline heinz

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Re: Old David Morton
« Reply #5 on: July 31, 2021, 09:37:29 PM »
Nice, thanks for posting.
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Offline Keith Zimmerman

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Re: Old David Morton
« Reply #6 on: August 01, 2021, 05:15:10 AM »
Beautiful.  Love the color and finish.
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Offline flinchrocket

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IRe: a Old David Morton
« Reply #7 on: August 26, 2021, 11:41:30 PM »
That’s very nice, I really like the early rifles. Do you have any idea when the original was made?
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Offline Lucky R A

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Re: Old David Morton
« Reply #8 on: August 27, 2021, 01:48:08 PM »
        I have handled and worked on several of Morton's rifles, this one exhibits the earliest of characteristics.  Since most of Morton's surviving rifle come from the 1820-30 period and later I would believe that dating this one in the 1800-1810 period would be pretty safe.  Ron
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Offline Cory Joe Stewart

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Re: Old David Morton
« Reply #9 on: August 27, 2021, 04:30:35 PM »
That looks great.

Cory Joe Stewart
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Offline mesabi

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Re: Old David Morton
« Reply #10 on: August 27, 2021, 08:40:07 PM »
I keep coming back and ogling this one.  Beautiful work!
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Offline DMacKay

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Re: Old David Morton
« Reply #11 on: September 01, 2021, 06:01:31 AM »
It is a beautiful rifle, I love looking at it. It’s even more fun to shoot! :)
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Offline flinchrocket

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Re: Old David Morton
« Reply #12 on: September 02, 2021, 01:52:08 AM »
Quote from: Lucky R A on August 27, 2021, 01:48:08 PM
        I have handled and worked on several of Morton's rifles, this one exhibits the earliest of characteristics.  Since most of Morton's surviving rifle come from the 1820-30 period and later I would believe that dating this one in the 1800-1810 period would be pretty safe.  Ron
Thanks Ron, when I first looked at it I was thinking 1785 or 1790’s. Then I noticed that Morton was born in 1770 so I was thrown off a bit. In any case you have built a great looking rifle. Thanks for shareing.
« Last Edit: September 02, 2021, 01:55:32 AM by flinchrocket »
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Offline heinz

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Re: Old David Morton
« Reply #13 on: September 02, 2021, 03:30:33 PM »
A very nice looking rifle.  The work on the trigger is interesting.  Is that typical of Western PA?
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kind regards, heinz
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