My Dads old rifle

[okawbow]

50 years ago, my Dad traded off the old family rifle to a man in Texas. I still remember playing with that old gun.

A couple years ago, I heard from a neighbor, that the man was still alive, and still had the rifle in his small museum. I called him, and tried to buy it back, but he wouldn't sell. He sent me some pictures of it, and told me a friend of his had "restored" the rifle. A month ago, I decided to reproduce the rifle as best as I could from a picture.

Here is the original.
photo by okawbow, on Flickr
photo (2) by okawbow, on Flickr

Here is my poor attempt at making a similar rifle. I used an original lock, and butt plate. The barrel is 1", 45 caliber, and 38 1/2" long. I made the triggers, and thimbles, as well as the lock bolt inlay and toeplate. I made the stock from a piece of local maple. I still need to "age" the brass.
I'll use this rifle for offhand and woods walk matches, and pass it on to my Grandchildren, as the "new" old Jones Rifle.
P2150757 by okawbow, on Flickr
P2150753 by okawbow, on Flickr
P2150752 by okawbow, on Flickr
P2150750 by okawbow, on Flickr
P2150749 by okawbow, on Flickr
P2150748 by okawbow, on Flickr
P2150746 by okawbow, on Flickr
P2150745 by okawbow, on Flickr
P2150758 by okawbow, on Flickr

[greybeard]

Since you worked from pics I say "GOOD JOB" Very nice.
         Bob

[draken]

Nicely done!

[FALout]

Not bad looking at all.  I would consider it a new family heirloom.

[Shreckmeister]

If you really want it back go back to him with a trade up for him and he will likely do it.

[okawbow]

Shreckmiester,
I've offered him much more than the rifle is worth, and also offered to trade a similar, but better looking original half stock rifle, but he "wants to keep this one til he's gone".

I'd almost rather have the horn and pouch, as that also belonged to my GG Grandfather, Bowling Jones, who came to Fayette county Illinois in 1820, from Tennessee. He probably bought the rifle in Illinois in the 1850's before he drowned in the Kaskaskia River, in 1855.

[JCurtiss]

Great job, congratulations!

[Steve-In]

Good job, nice rifle. Likely it will mean more to the kids than the original rifle.
Watch the obits for the old rifle.

[JLBSparks]

Outstanding job on your replica. It's a shame that the fellow in Texas won't come off the original.

   -Joe

[rhbrink]

Nice job you do outstanding work. When that brass gets aged it's look really great I bet like mentioned above that rifle will mean more to your kids than the original it would to me anyway.

RB

[Joe S.]

Nicely done and keep your eyes open your 'ol one may turn up sooner or later

[Kingsburyarms]

See if he will add you to his will as recipient of the rifle after his passing. Not to sound morbid, But I was in a similar place, and with respect and dignity I was placed in a position to retrieve what was once an family heirloom.  Might be worth a try over a cup of coffee. BTW - Fantastic copy based on the photos - Family has a wonderful piece of history already...

[Joe S.]

Gets me wondering whats the rifle to him?Its obviously has some kind of value to him.I know if someone came to me and had a story like yours and the rifle was of no real value I would give it up.

[okawbow]

I think the owner feels that the rifle has been in his museum for 50 years, and belongs there. I also think his son believes it is more valuable than it is, and doesn't want me to have it. The owner said he would try to see that I could get the rifle when he is gone, but I'm pretty sure the son will try to see that doesn't happen.

I'm not as keen to have the rifle now as I was when I first found out he still had it. It's been heavily cleaned and repaired, and really doesn't look like the rifle I remember. I also once thought that my G Grandfather, Ben Jones, possibly made the rifle,, as he was a blacksmith and part time gunsmith, but recently found out he got it from his fathers estate.