NICE SIMPLE RIFLE AT POULIN'S LOT #3460

[WESTbury]

This rifle is attractive to me because of its simplicity instead of a bunch of over the top carving and engraving. I'd like to think that the majority of "working" rifles resembled this one.


https://poulinantiques.hibid.com/lot/102510472/very-plain--unmarked-schimmel-type-farm-rifle-?q=3460

[Bob McBride]

This rifle is attractive to me because of its simplicity instead of a bunch of over the top carving and engraving. I'd like to think that the majority of "working" rifles resembled this one.


https://poulinantiques.hibid.com/lot/102510472/very-plain--unmarked-schimmel-type-farm-rifle-?q=3460

Nice. I’m of the same minority opinion. I think nine out of ten rifles were plain and used up and parted out at 50 times the rate of a super fancy bourgeoisie gun which is why we see the mix of extant rifles we see. One of the main reasons for my theory is that there is an obvious quality difference between the very expensive rifles and those fancy rifles that a working man would overspend on because, just as today, he wanted to appear more than he was. If those men were catered to, so was the extremely common type man who wouldn’t spend a dollar more than necessary. It seems to me.

[ghostdncr]

I like that rifle a lot. Very much in line with what I've been seen carrying most of my life, albeit contemporary examples.

It seems plausible to me that the fancy guns would've received less usage and better care, thereby having a better chance at surviving. When I was a kid back in the 60's, there were an awful lot of old guns around that had been pieced together from older guns. That's generally the way most things went "out in country." Plain guns like this one, po boys, pea rifles, barn rifles, and the like were about the only muzzleloaders I'd ever seen until somewhere in my early to mid teens. That probably explains the appeal to me.

[maharsb]

That is a nice looking rifle.  I have always been drawn to more field grade working guns.

[Eric Kettenburg]

Wonder why they called it a "schimmel type" or "farm rifle?"  Kind of misleading.  It's a complete rifle sans a box.  All the furnishings are there.  Fine stocking and shaping is there.  The piece could have been made considerably plainer yet and perhaps could be classified as they 'titled' it, but as it stands, I think they're doing it a disservice.

Sincerely, Shemp.
 

[WESTbury]

Wonder why they called it a "schimmel type" or "farm rifle?"  Kind of misleading.  It's a complete rifle sans a box.  All the furnishings are there.  Fine stocking and shaping is there.  The piece could have been made considerably plainer yet and perhaps could be classified as they 'titled' it, but as it stands, I think they're doing it a disservice.
Sincerely, Shemp.

We've raked these auction houses over the coals many times, and justifiably so.

I am fairly certain that these auction houses use what ever buzz words they know to sell items. Particularly on subjects with which they have only a passing knowledge, like firearms.

Much like the hackneyed phrase "Golden Age", which they seem to apply to any long-rifle with some type of carving regardless of when it may have been stocked or re-stocked. I firmly believe that Kindig or his publisher came up with "Golden Age" as a gimmick to sell books. And it worked and obviously stuck as it still is in vogue 60 years later!

[Yazel.xring]

Really neat piece, Love the original simple pieces.

[cshirsch]

I like the rifle but they claim it's original throughout.  I believe it is a reconversion.

[Eric Kettenburg]

I agree likewise but figured if I mentioned it, the all-knowing almighties of the board would call me a stooge again for daring to question their grand wisdom.

Sincerely, Larry.

[cshirsch]

upload image

[Eric Kettenburg]

I was primarily looking at the magical disappearing sunburst engraving 'in the vicinity' (sarc) of the pan that you point out.  To my mind that's pretty much a giveaway right there.

Also there's an awful lot of mismatched 'plum brown' coloration in the patina of that lock.

[cshirsch]

I was primarily looking at the magical disappearing sunburst engraving 'in the vicinity' (sarc) of the pan that you point out.  To my mind that's pretty much a giveaway right there.

Also there's an awful lot of mismatched 'plum brown' coloration in the patina of that lock.

Yes, the color difference is very apparent. 

[cshirsch]

There are some tricks to making the color match.  This lock is original flint but the flintcock had been replaced with a 'WARRANTED' style cock.  I modified my 'Shroyer' cock casting to fit and aged it accordingly. 

[onthehillbill]

I wish someone would write a book on the right and wrong of locks and what to look for.

[WESTbury]

It is a pretty safe bet to assume that 95% or more of the antique longrifles extant are reconverted and restored. That would include many of the very famous rifles that continuously appear in publications over and over because of their historical significance like the signed Albrecht rifle.

I do not see any problem with pointing out these facts on the Forum, if it is done in a constructive and instructive manner for those that are new to collecting.

[Yazel.xring]

Thank you for the detailed analysis everyone, really helpful!