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Author Topic: Help identifying this rifle  (Read 1687 times)

Offline dmadacsi

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Help identifying this rifle
« on: December 23, 2023, 06:50:36 PM »
Hi, I'm looking for information about this long rifle I inherited many years ago. It belonged to my grandfather but I believe he purchased it at some point as opposed to it being a family heirloom. I'm not well versed in muzzleloaders but have used the opportunity to research this as a learning opportunity as well so I welcome any educational aspect to your comments. Hoping to learn about the age and make and origin of the gun. In my research I seem to make progress and reach one conclusion only to discover something else that takes me to a different conclusion. Hence why I decided to ask the experts here for your opinions. Thank you for taking the time to have a look at my pictures below and help me learn more as well.



































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Offline JPK

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Re: Help identifying this rifle
« Reply #1 on: December 23, 2023, 08:58:46 PM »
To start you off, it’s a fowler or what we now call a shotgun. These old guns are often found loaded so check that out soon.
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Offline dmadacsi

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Re: Help identifying this rifle
« Reply #2 on: December 23, 2023, 11:32:47 PM »
Great, yes I thought it probably was. Any indication as to what the date and origin might be? I was thinking maybe it was converted from flint lock from a few things I read. Also noted some things in common with Dutch but then some with Belgian. But maybe its American.
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Offline Mike Brooks

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Re: Help identifying this rifle
« Reply #3 on: December 24, 2023, 02:46:56 AM »
I'd say Belgian. Stock appears to be euro walnut. 1850-60-70-ish?
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Say, any of you boys smithies? Or, if not smithies per se, were you otherwise trained in the metallurgic arts before straitened circumstances forced you into a life of aimless wanderin'?

Offline dmadacsi

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Re: Help identifying this rifle
« Reply #4 on: December 27, 2023, 05:55:32 PM »
Do you think this would have been a conversion or built as a percussion cap originally? By the way I can see a coil spring inside when I pull back the hammer.
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Offline Mike Brooks

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Re: Help identifying this rifle
« Reply #5 on: December 27, 2023, 06:31:56 PM »
Percussion. There shouldn't be a coil spring in that lock.
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NEW WEBSITE! www.mikebrooksflintlocks.com
Say, any of you boys smithies? Or, if not smithies per se, were you otherwise trained in the metallurgic arts before straitened circumstances forced you into a life of aimless wanderin'?

Offline dmadacsi

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Re: Help identifying this rifle
« Reply #6 on: December 27, 2023, 10:20:45 PM »
Here are a couple pics of what looks like a coil spring.





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Offline Mike Brooks

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Re: Help identifying this rifle
« Reply #7 on: December 27, 2023, 10:29:27 PM »
Take the lock off and have a look. Takes all of 30 seconds.
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NEW WEBSITE! www.mikebrooksflintlocks.com
Say, any of you boys smithies? Or, if not smithies per se, were you otherwise trained in the metallurgic arts before straitened circumstances forced you into a life of aimless wanderin'?

Offline JTR

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Re: Help identifying this rifle
« Reply #8 on: December 28, 2023, 03:08:01 AM »
Looks like the threads on the lock bolt to me.
But, yeah take the lock off and take a look.
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John Robbins

Offline dmadacsi

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Re: Help identifying this rifle
« Reply #9 on: December 28, 2023, 05:20:00 AM »
Thank you both. Yes, in the end I got up the courage to take the whole thing apart. It was indeed threads and I found some marks on the under side of the barrel. Trying to research those but please find pictures below.







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Offline dmadacsi

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Re: Help identifying this rifle
« Reply #10 on: December 29, 2023, 12:03:27 AM »
Here are a few with maybe better definition.





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Offline bluenoser

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Re: Help identifying this rifle
« Reply #11 on: December 29, 2023, 02:59:46 AM »
The "10" would be the bore size.  A 10 bore or gauge would be about .775".
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Offline dmadacsi

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Re: Help identifying this rifle
« Reply #12 on: December 29, 2023, 06:53:58 AM »
ok cool, yes that makes sense. good eye as well - i thought it was only an 0. Any thoughts on the others?
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Offline bluenoser

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Re: Help identifying this rifle
« Reply #13 on: December 29, 2023, 11:24:27 PM »
Three things that might make the other marks more legible:
Wet the area and then pat the surface dry.  Accumulated moisture in the marks sometimes makes them more legible.
or
Work some chalk into the marks and wipe any overflow off the surrounding surface.
or
Try shining a strong directional light on the surface at different shallow angles with no other light shining on it.
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Offline dmadacsi

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Re: Help identifying this rifle
« Reply #14 on: December 30, 2023, 09:54:04 PM »
Unfortunately,I've already put it all back together. When I next find some time i will try that with the chalk. Thank you for the suggestion.
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