J. S. Burson Percussion Rifle

[Niall Sadler]

I just recently purchased an antique percussion full stock long rifle and would like to know more about the maker. On the top flat of the barrel is stamped J S Burson Wabash Ind followed by a number and under the bottom side flat is the date Nov 16 1860. The middle number on the top flat is not really distinct but it looks like 345. The gun is well made and finished obviously buy a skilled craftsman but not elaborate there is only a nicely incised scroll work where the wrist and the comb meet. There is no patchbox. The stock is curly maple with brass mountings. The barrel is 28 inches long, 1 inch across the flats and is about .30 caliber. Therefore, the number on the top barrel flat could refer to the caliber. The gun has no snail or a drum but a bit of the top flat and most of the side flat has been dished out , drilled and tapped to hold the nipple. There is no sign of conversion from a flint lock and the lock is original. The hammer looks like it was the original to the gun but not necessarily original to the lock as it is bent over and twisted slightly to accommodate the unusual location of the nipple. The lock has no half cock notch. I have cleaned up the gun and it is mostly all original except for one barrel pin and the wood screw that was used for the for barrel tang which I replaced. The rifle is could be shot but the barrel is pretty pitted and rough especially in the area between the breach plug and just behind the front sight. The stock has dried out and shrunk over the years and it has a crack at the front of the lock. The wood in the area behind the nipple is eaten away a little as well. The person I purchased it off is supposedly a distant relative of Al Gore and I understand his middle name is Gore.  Any information on the maker would be greatly appreciated. I have also no real feel for the real value of the gun either. Thanks Niall Sadler

[mr. no gold]

There are a lot of knowledgable people here on the Forum, but everyone will tell you that without photos, asking who made your rifle is about the same as asking 'how long is a piece of string?' Sounds like a fine rifle and made in Indiana, at that.
Please post some photos and you will get a lot of answers, as there are at least three experts here who are qualified to help on midwest made guns.
Best regards-Dick

[BGC]

According to the book "Gunmakers of Indiana" by Albert W. Lindert, the following information is listed.

J. S. Burson, Mt. Vernon, Posey County.  Marked his guns "Wabash, Ind."  apparently for the Wabash River nearby. There is presently no evidence that he ever lived near the town of Wabash, Wabash County.

[Agent 006]

I suspect others can add additional information but his name was Joshua Seth and I believe he died in 1897.  Absence of a half cock is common on many midwestern guns as (again, my hunch) they were utilitarian pieces.
Jim

[Curt J]

Yes, Joshua Seth Burson was a fairly prolific maker.  I have a good friend who is a direct descendant of J. S. Burson, has a collection of Burson rifles, and probably has the most knowledge on Burson family gunsmiths (there were more). J. S. Burson later worked in Wisconsin.

E-mail me at: ilgunmkr@yahoo.com and I will send you his contact information.

[T*O*F]

Absence of a half cock is common on many midwestern guns as (again, my hunch) they were utilitarian pieces.

Having no half cock notch eliminates the need for a fly with guns having a single trigger.

[Indiana Gunmakers]

According to the 1850 and 1860 Indiana Census, JS Burson lived in or near the town of Wabash, Wabash County, Indiana. His occupation was listd as a "Gunsmith". In 1850 he was 28 years old and had a wife, Matilda, and three children all born in Indiana. Their ages in 1850 were 9, 5, and 3. Wife, Matilda, was born in OH and Joshua Seth was born in Indiana.

I have more info on this maker.  Should you desire more info, please contact me at j.jjaeger@comcast.net.