Interesting New England Rifle on Gunbroker

[Majorjoel]

I would like to learn more about New England rifles. I found this example over on GB and thought it would merit a "special look" with any member discussion most welcome. I have absolutely no connections with this auction or seller.   http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=212594296

[tallbear]

Very nice!!Thanks for the link.Although it looks to have been heavily cleaned it is a classic New England Halfstock.

Mitch

[Arnie Dowd]

Recommended would be "The New England Gun - the First 200 Years" by Merill Lindsay" printed by New Haven Press, New Haven Connecticut, in 1975.  There is also "Vermont's Gunsmiths and Gunmakers to 1900" by Phillips and Tyler, published by Two @!*% Yankees, In.; Dorset, VT in 2000 as well as the two books on Underhammer Guns - the original by Herschel Logan in 1960 and the new book by Nich Chandler.  Also chapter 3 (New England Militia Rifles) in Massachusetts Military Shoulder Arms 1784-1877 by George Moller by Mowbray Publishing, 1988.

[Don Getz]

That's kind of a neat rifle.   I especially liked the wooden underrib.  Had many thoughts of building something like this, but
I usually came to my senses and didn't do it............Don

[JV Puleo]

It is a nice rifle but, as a collector of NE rifles (I have 12 or 14 of them), I'd say the price intimated by the "buy it now" offer is well over what anyone truly familiar with the market would pay. The simple truth of the matter is that there are 500 (or more) Pennsylvania/Kentucky or Southern rifle enthusiasts for everyone who even recognizes a NE rifle. The last 3 I bought, all last year and none of which are as nice as that one (i.e. converted), still averaged much less than $1000 each.

I have a similar Maynard with a horse head patchbox ... the largest bore NE rifle I've ever seen, about .65 caliber. I'd swear it was bored out but a recognizable amount of rifling is still there.

[rich pierce]

Wooden rib is probably a replacement- really fine condition overall, a great example piece for someone.

[Robby]

Rich, What makes you think the rib is a replacement? I'm always interested in how someone with a more learned eye views these guns. I like studying the pictures, but always feel like Im missing something.
I've done a few with wooden ribs, and looking at this one is making me itch, Hah!
Robby

[Dan'l 1946]

    David Price offers a great kit for a New England rifle. Very complete and priced quite reasonably, too. He offers a second barrel in .54 smooth that turns this piece into a small game gun. It reminds me of the first muzzleloader that I ever fired.
     David's website is well worth a visit just for the beautiful guns and photography.
                      Dan
                                                             

[Curt J]

I'm thinking that the wooden underrib is probably original.  It might look strange to someone who has not seen one before, but I've seen them on several New England-made rifles in the past. The "buy it now" price is very unrealistic.  The rifle is a really neat piece, but there simply isn't that much interest in New England guns, unfortunately.

[Dan'l 1946]

  I think that interest in these rifles is growing--at least here in New England. I've seen the wooden under-ribs on original guns, both rifles and fowlers, and they hold up very well. Usually made of hickory or white oak, once in a great while ebony was used. I saw a fowler with striped maple years ago and it was quite handsome. If prices continue to rise, I'll bet these guns will be coming out of the woodwork! Old Yankees never threw anything away...

[msmith]

There is two New England Guns on the CLA site....On the "for Sale" under "antiques" ...You can't see it in the pictures but I believe at least one of them have wire...Very nice guns....

[Telgan]

David Price has a very nice "New England" rifle kit - usaully done in cherry - with a wooden rib. Light barrel, very nice light carrying hunting gun.

[JV Puleo]

I think all my NE halfstocks have wooden under ribs - maybe 6 of them? I'd actually be surprised to see a NE rifle with a metal rib.

[rich pierce]

Rich, What makes you think the rib is a replacement? I'm always interested in how someone with a more learned eye views these guns. I like studying the pictures, but always feel like Im missing something.
I've done a few with wooden ribs, and looking at this one is making me itch, Hah!
Robby

It just looked too good and cleaned compared to the buttstock.  Could be wrong; wouldn't be the least bit unusual!

I have some many where the thimbles and underlugs are in the same place; noticed this one is different.  That has no bearing on the originality of the rib.

[Majorjoel]

Looks like the rifle sold for 3000.00. That was a far cry from the sellers buy it now price. Someone got a nice NE rifle for a good price.

[JCKelly]

The only place I've seen much on NE rifles is in American Arms Collectors Association  Bull No. 44, 1981. 
I find these rifles interesting, though do not own one.
Fine, fine workmanship, superior (heresy, for an ex-pat Pennsylvanian) to much of what I see in many Pennsylvania rifles of 1st quarter 19th century. I've been inclined toward  Pennsylvania rifles from childhood, but . . . I kinda liked the fine city of Worcester during my few visits there. Sure do like Maynard's work.