Help with ID, left side Jos Golcher lock on right hand rifle

[mikeragan]

I just purchase this rifle last week and have been doing some research to figure out why its tge way it is. Any help id’n it or any knowledge would be greatly appreciated. This was bought as a wall hanger. Here are a few pics. I have not been able to find the gunmakers name anywhere.

[Jacob_S_P]

What does the tang look like? I smell VA/WV on it and being an odd 3/4 length I'd better good beer it was a full stock originally.

[Tanselman]

The first question is... did you look on the top barrel flat several inches behind the rear sight to see if there is a name or initials, or even partial markings, that could help identify the maker? If anything is there, please post a picture of it.

The old "standby" answer for a gun with a cheekpiece on the left side and the lock also on the left [presuming the gun doesn't have another cheekpiece on the other side of the butt], is that it was probably a cost decision where a left-hand lock was already available, and buying a right-hand lock would increase the cost to a frugal owner... so he opted to go the cheaper route. Of course, no one really knows why we find a "mixed up" rifle once in a while with a cheekpiece and lock on same side... but most shooters want the lock on the opposite side farther away from their face and eyesight.

Shelby Gallien

[mikeragan]

Here are a few more pics.

[Cades Cove Fiddler]

  .. interesting old rifle... is the rib under the barrel wooden,..? ... Gerald Neaves had an old rifle a few years back with that same rounded raised area at the comb of the stock at the wrist... if I remember right, it came from the area where TN, NC and VA all come together.. front trigger seems to have the rounded base that is seen in many upper East TN rifles.... interested in others thoughts... great old rifle... thanx for shareing... regards... Cades Cove Fiddler... (BTW,... great old Windsor chairs...)

[Bob Gerard]

Look how the lock bolt is arranged- I wonder if the original threaded lock bolt hole got stripped and someone fastened this arrangement to serve the purpose.

[Bob Roller]

Sometimes we work with what we have and if no money available then do your best.Maybe the first owner was left handed or had one eye that worked and the other couldn't.This is a nice relic.The last left hand caplock I made was many years ago and it was mated to an identical right hand for a double rifle and had the Stanton 4 "pin"mechanism in both.
Bob Roller