Author Topic: Antique Rifle  (Read 4292 times)

LURCHWV@BJS

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Antique Rifle
« on: September 21, 2010, 05:10:12 PM »
Please take a look at the pic tell me what you think






 Rich
« Last Edit: September 21, 2010, 11:57:46 PM by Dennis Glazener »

scooter

  • Guest
Re: Antique Rifle
« Reply #1 on: September 21, 2010, 10:55:31 PM »
You have the severely neglected  half-stock rifle with a Henry Leman back-action lock. If there is a name on the barrel post it. The name on lock usually has nothing to do w/ the maker. The gun was likely made just before or after Civil War. Unless signed you will never know who made it as it's as generic as they come.

LURCHWV@BJS

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Re: Antique Rifle
« Reply #2 on: September 22, 2010, 03:39:12 AM »
  B.T. MILLER stamped on the top of the barrel.  I have it for sell or tade,  I need a new piece of wood. (Look in gunbuilding)  I'm not into it for much so I would hope someone who can appreciate it more than I takes it. It is rough, But in the hands of a professional it has potential.


     Rich

msmith

  • Guest
Re: Antique Rifle
« Reply #3 on: September 22, 2010, 04:08:48 AM »
Lurch, in Sellers there is a B T Miller listed as a Gunsmith in Tipton Indiana, 1855-1870...Same feller is listed in Fayettteville Arkansas 1884 d. Probably your man......Maybe someone from that area may be interested......I will see what I can find on him on ancestry.com and pm you. Mark

msmith

  • Guest
Re: Antique Rifle
« Reply #4 on: September 22, 2010, 04:31:47 AM »
Lurch, Curt Johnson is probably the man who could help you most with info on your gunmaker/gun..I think his user name on this site is curt j .

scooter

  • Guest
Re: Antique Rifle
« Reply #5 on: September 22, 2010, 09:17:17 PM »
You are certainly lucky! Had there been no signature interest would have approximated absolute 0. At least you now know you had an Indiana made gun.

Miller, B. T. (1823-). gunsmith. 1855-70, Tipton, Indiana; 1884, Fayetteville, Arkansas. 1880, B. T. Miller, gunsmith, 57, born in KY, both parents born in VA; M. J., wife, 41, born in KY; Julia, 21; Susan E., 18; Olley, son, 16, all children born in IN [Census; Lindert].

I could not verify the VERY late directory nor is Miller on the State of Arkansas list. He was listed by Lindert in his book on IN gunsmiths.