childs "long" rifle

[jwiant]

I have a child size "long" rifle actually 40" OAL that I would like to get some info on.  It is about a .25 cal., 25" barrel full stock percussion with set triggers. The top of the barrel has a "BE" engraved on it.  I can't seem to find much info on child size long rifles.

[jwiant]

How do you post photos here?

[Rootsy]

How do you post photos here?

Read this link and it should answer your question.  http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=10.0

[jwiant]

Photos

[Buck]

jwiant,
Nice Rifle. Barney Engle, son of Peter Engle. 1833-1878, Greensboro Pa. This is one possibility. Good Luck on your quest.
Buck

[jwiant]

Do you know if that's how Barney Engle sighed his guns?  I guess I need to research some of his work.  Thanks for the fast reply.  Also, the nipple and bolster are one piece. Was this common on early percussion guns?

[Buck]

jwiant,
That is not rock solid, it is only a possibillity. Frank Sellers book "American Gunsmiths" (I should have stated the source) has Mr. Engle attributted to those initials. That is probably a good starting point for you to begin. You have a nice in the black rifle.
Buck 

[jwiant]

In the black rifle?

[Mark Tyler]

"In the black" or "attic condition" are terms gun collectors frequently use. It means the rifle has not been cleaned, polished, refinished, heavily restored, etc. That is a good thing. Most collectors prefer to buy guns that are "in the black". Cleaning and polishing all the patina off detracts from the value considerably.

[jwiant]

Ok, I guess you can tell I'm new to this. Should i not mess with the nipple then? The problem is that the nipple is been damaged and the hammer goes a little to far then allowing the main spring to slip off of the tumbler.  It does not have a screw out nipple; bolster and nipple appear to be one piece.

[Mark Tyler]

I personally would not mess with the nipple. I would have it checked out by a qualified gunsmith/restorer of antique Kentucky rifles. If you post your geographic location, I'm sure someone in your area could give you a recommendation on where to take it.

Mark

[jwiant]

Williamsburg, Va.

[Hurricane ( of Virginia)]

Williamsburg is loaded with experts:
Gary Brumfield
Wallace Gusler
Jon Laubach
and Probably the gunsmith shop in restored Williamsburg, to mention some.
Hurricane.

Also Brian LeMaster in western VA.
There are others

[flintriflesmith]

Email sent.
Gary

[Dphariss]

Ok, I guess you can tell I'm new to this. Should i not mess with the nipple then? The problem is that the nipple is been damaged and the hammer goes a little to far then allowing the main spring to slip off of the tumbler.  It does not have a screw out nipple; bolster and nipple appear to be one piece.

Its not a shooter anyway IMO so I would not sweat the nipple.
I would strongly recommend that you get some professional help, someone EXPERT in the early American rifle and NOT do anything to the rifle yourself.
The nipple probably rusted in place. The caps of the time were often virulently corrosive.
Corrosion on the hammer/nipple, battering, wear/damage to the lock internals or a possible replacement mainspring, any of these could be why the mainspring comes off the tumbler.

Dan

[jwiant]

I have been in touch with several locals, and am trying to work something out.  Gary gave me an idea to fix the spring issue. Doesn't look like I am going to get to shoot this one.