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Author Topic: D. J. McDonald rifle  (Read 991 times)

Offline Tenmile

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D. J. McDonald rifle
« on: February 18, 2023, 06:50:33 PM »
I bought this rifle from a club member’s widow.
Made by D. J. McDonald
Pittsburg
Cast steel barrel
Re-rifled to 38 caliber by Robert Hoyt 2023
1 in 46” twist
.011” deep rifling
Tapered bore
Iron ramrod pipes
This was the last rifle sold by Jackson Arms in Dallas, Texas .
The barrel is marked “D. J. McDONALD PITTSBURG  CAST STEEL
Daniel J. McDonald is listed in American Gunsmiths by Frank M. Sellers as having died in 1864. No birth date is given.












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Offline Daniel Coats

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Re: D. J. McDonald rifle
« Reply #1 on: February 18, 2023, 07:13:27 PM »
He's listed in the 1850 census as a gunsmith living in Pittsburg with wife Sarah. Born about 1825 in PA

1860 census lists him still living there but born in Germany about 1826. By this time he has 3 children Mary, Ella, and Edgar

Enlisted June 1863 as a gunsmith but this time born in PA




« Last Edit: February 18, 2023, 07:25:42 PM by Daniel Coats »
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Dan

"Ain't no nipples on a man's rifle"

Offline Sequatchie Rifle

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Re: D. J. McDonald rifle
« Reply #2 on: February 18, 2023, 11:05:33 PM »
Daniel J. McDonald
School: Western Pennsylvania (Pennsylvania/PA)
(born 1825, died 1864) Pittsburgh, Allegheny County (1850-64; with William Craig in 1850 and with William Craig in Iron City Gun Works, 1856-57)
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Offline Tenmile

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Re: D. J. McDonald rifle
« Reply #3 on: February 19, 2023, 04:47:59 AM »
It’s interesting to have provenance on a rifle. This one is in really good shape. I plan to shoot it this year in our club matches. I don’t remember seeing a barrel grooved for a ramrod like this. It may have been common. The action is quick and tight. It was made for a Pickett bullet but I will shoot a round ball, maybe not as accurate. Thanks for the additional history.
Lynn
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Offline mr. no gold

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Re: D. J. McDonald rifle
« Reply #4 on: February 19, 2023, 05:42:26 AM »
There is a Nelson Delaney half stocked target gun that has a very similar ramrod set as your gun. Delaney worked in Reading, PA about the same time McDonald apparently worked. This feature may have been more common than we have seen thus far. Nice rifle you have and am happy that it brings you great satisfaction. Thank you for bringing it n to be admired.
Dick 
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