Old WVa percussion rifle some thoughts

[mountainman70]

Hi Friends;In the few months since I bought this old feller home to WVa,I have been trying to find out more about who may have built him,and the owner.At this time,I havent found out much about either,and bein as how rifle is unsigned,just have to go by what research and communication I have.I was fortunate in having some good responses to the pics I posted,by 2 of our WVa collectors on this site,and was able to purchase James Whiskers book Gunsmiths of  WVa .The Sherwood rifle on p105 has very similar architecture,I would like to see nosecap on that on,or any Sherwood halfstocks
I have read the info on the 'smiths and have come up with this idea,see what ya think.
Gun is reported to have been owned by Robert Dickinson,of Philippi,Barbour county,[w]Virginia,in around 1840/50,and carried by him in his travels around the area.Cap tin in pouch is stamped 1858.According to Whiskers research,ST Sherwood would have been about 25 or so at this approx time,and probably had finished his apprenticeship,or close to it,maybe even had apprentice working for him.maybe he built it,and maybe apprentices werent allowed to sign guns they built,or?
Any way,this is my notions on this fine old rifle.I am still debating on wheteher or not to make it shootable,and do so on a very limited basis,or just preserve it as is.It is only original once,and I dont want to mess him up.I do have most of the parts to make a close copy in a larger caliber,wood i have is close to the stripe,so maybe this is better venue.

So,what do y'all think.Thanks,Dave

[mr. no gold]

Thanks for letting us all take a look at your pretty little rifle. This gun has all of the patina one could ever hope for. It is just a great find! My feelings strongly support your idea of building a bench copy to shoot and play with. In shooting this fine old original you will remove some of its aged look; you won't be able not do so as you clean it and wipe it down. The old girl has earned every shade of gray and black that she has on her wood and metal, and is in fact worth far more in this condition than if she were shined up to look bright. Sounds like you have the original hunting bag with this gun. Now that is real luck. Everyone who has an old rifle would love to have the bag and horn set that must have accompanied the rifle. They are few and far between. Stay lucky!
Dick

[wet willy]

Don't shoot it!

Treasure it and keep it in the fine shape it is in. Make a replica and have fun.

Shooting old ML rifles may seem fun, but it will degrade their condition, no matter how careful you are. If you shoot it, you need to clean it with (water, solvents, etc), which will inevetibly wet the stock, and you will need to clean the barrel (brushes, mops, etc) which will change the surface of the bore, and you will need to remove the lock (risking wood splinters, buggered screw heads, and worse).

Stabilize the wood and metal with a reversible product like "Renaissance Wax." Maybe swab the bore with a few loose patches with "Kroil," followed by a rust inhibitor. Then enjoy it as an artifact from a bygone era.

[Buck]

Mountainman,
Nice rifle, I would just leave it. Mr. No Gold has given you the best advice.
Buck

[Dennis Glazener]

Any way,this is my notions on this fine old rifle.I am still debating on wheteher or not to make it shootable,and do so on a very limited basis,or just preserve it as is.It is only original once,and I dont want to mess him up.I do have most of the parts to make a close copy in a larger caliber,wood i have is close to the stripe,so maybe this is better venue.

Please make the copy and leave the original as it is. Maybe get some Renaissance Wax and go over it with that. Renaissance Wax will clean off most of the loose grime but will leave that fine patina there for others to see/enjoy.

Just my thoughts,
Dennis

[mountainman70]

Thanks guys,for the input.I have decided to just preserve him and enjoy til time comes to pass on to next curator.
I am a firm believer that,like the land we live on,we are not owners,but merely caretakers in our time,to do the best we can to take care of for future generations.Must be a Native thing,and so it is.
Would still like some input on my hypothesis.WE are finally getting some much needed rain.Praise the Lord.
Thanks again,y'all
ps,Mr Nogold,see my other post on this heading for pics of horn and pouch.It is indeed unusual,and the main attraction to my buying this ol iron.Dave