Author Topic: Help with muzzleloading rifle ID  (Read 1082 times)

Offline VA HUNTER

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Help with muzzleloading rifle ID
« on: July 05, 2022, 04:24:31 PM »
Posted this to another muzzleloading forum but thought I would try here as well.

I recently acquired a half stock percussion rifle, .25 caliber 3/4 inch barrel is about 38 inches long. Rifle's overall length is 53 inches. No maker's name or initials on barrel, lock plate is engraved with the initials R P.

Multiple pics attached.

Just wondering if anyone has a opinion on what area of the country it may have originated from.

Thanks,

Jeff





















Offline rich pierce

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Re: Help with muzzleloading rifle ID
« Reply #1 on: July 05, 2022, 07:46:48 PM »
Guessing New York but could be further west. 1850-ish. So many makers in that era moving around, that guns like this are hard to pin down.
Andover, Vermont

Offline Tanselman

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Re: Help with muzzleloading rifle ID
« Reply #2 on: July 05, 2022, 08:31:11 PM »
The barrel length, based on current location of rear sight, was probably 4 or 5 inches longer originally. Those longer barrels usually came from states farther west. The slightly "clunky" look of the triggers suggests Ohio, but that's not enough to place the gun. Two additional details that may help identify the gun are: 1) good picture of lock bolt washer on back side of gun, and 2) good picture of tang. Those two items often varied depending on where the gun was made. But these later ca. 1845-1855 half-stocked rifles, without artistic details to show a maker's hand, are hard to place at times.

Shelby Gallien

Offline Niall

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Re: Help with muzzleloading rifle ID
« Reply #3 on: July 05, 2022, 09:03:49 PM »
The butt plate was worked for a patch box lid at some stage so could be a restock.

Offline Jacob_S_P

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Re: Help with muzzleloading rifle ID
« Reply #4 on: July 05, 2022, 10:32:11 PM »
So my .02 would be to add that the guard looks rather nice, and drier than the entire rest of the rifle with the exception of the buttplate which has indeed (as already been noted) worked for a patchbox . With the brass entry pipe and the forend tip, not so sure the stock was shortened and  or reused for an e entirely new rifle with a 'modern' small caliber barrel.
My bet would be that it is a later 'parts rifle' especially considering the small bore diameter.
Without hands and eyes on it that is my best addition to the conversation.

Offline Lucky R A

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Re: Help with muzzleloading rifle ID
« Reply #5 on: July 06, 2022, 12:27:30 AM »
         The original patchbox associated with the original stock likely had a "cam over" mechanism, thus the nail nickto lift the back of the lid.   I go with the parts gun diagnosis.
Ron
"The highest reward that God gives us for good work is the ability to do better work."  - Elbert Hubbard

Offline VA HUNTER

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Re: Help with muzzleloading rifle ID
« Reply #6 on: July 06, 2022, 06:10:04 AM »
Thanks all for the replies. I have attached pics of the lock bolt and tang, hopefully they give some additional clues to origin of this rifle.

The slight relief in the right side of the butt plate for a patch box was a good catch, I had noticed this area but thought it might simply be damage to the brass.

I was able to remove the breech plug easily and determine the breech and bore are in good condition. The lock however has a worn tumbler and won’t hold at full cock. I would like to get it operational if someone could recommend a source for vintage percussion lock repairs.

Thanks all for your time.

Jeff Condon