need help identifying maker of muzzleloader

[JLBW97]

I have acquired a percussion cap 380 caliber, octagon barrel with 9 point 2 1/2 twist rifling. There are no maker's marks on the rifle. The plate behind the lock has a bird (pigeon/grouse/quail/dove) with 2 stalks of wheat engraved. The engraving is a very simple. The stock has a "hawkins" style to it as the forearm only covers 3/4 of the barrel length, has a deep moon curve with a brass buttplate. There are two triggers. The rear trigger is a full normal curve that sets the lock once it is cocked back. The front trigger is a straight vertical "peg" trigger that fires the weapon. Several gunsmiths in my area suggest to me that it was made pre-1880's but we don't know anymore about this firearm. I would really like to find out how to identify this muzzleloader and the region it might have come from.

[Nate McKenzie]

Just about impossible to answer without some detailed pictures.

[Tanselman]

In addiiton to providing pictures of the gun, both front and back showing from butt plate out to about 8 inches past the lock plate area, another important step is to very closely examine the top flat of the barrel between the rear sight and the breech, to see if there is any trace of the maker's name, or initials, that can be photographed and posted along with the other pictures. Hopefullly the pictures will show us the stock shape, or architecture, and style of major furniture such as butt plate and guard, that helps us identify a rifle's birth place. Shelby Gallien

[JLBW97]

Here are some pics of the firearm. I miskeyed earlier, it has 7 pt rifling. The overall length is 55 5/8 inches. The overall barrel length is 40 inches. The forearm extends 17 inches beyond the breech of the barrel. Thanks


https://docs.google.com/present/view?id=ddg9fcg8_0cr4fwgvk

[Bill of the 45th]

I'm going to venture a guess, that it's a Carolina gun, 1840's. It has Southern lines to my eye. It's unfortunately been finished.  The only glaringly thing I see wrong are the Phillips screws.  There are many more knowledgeable than I who will add comments.   Welcome to the forum.

Bill

[Fullstock longrifle]

I think your giving him far too much credit by calling him a gunsmith.

FK

[Gaeckle]

I'm venturing that somebody along the way has "refinished" that rifle......a vain attempt to make it better.

[rich pierce]

Well, I'll beg to differ.  It's a good working man's rifle of the percussion period, not very valuable so there's relatively little that has been lost by using improper screws here and there.   Easily fixed and much more has been done to many of our favorites in the fancy picture books.  It would be nice to see it in attic condition but even so, it's still a late working man's rifle, and would likely be worth less than $1000 if in attic condition and complete.  But such rifles represent a major part of our history, an era we romantacize much less than earlier times.

[JLBW97]

Thank you for the replies, are there any other suggestions/opinions as to the region/date of manufacture. I am a sucker for the history of our firearms and not conerned as much to the price value. I bought the gun with the intention of "saving it" from going to the corner of the barn and worsening in condition. It was offered to me cheap because there is little markings denoting its maker, etc. It may be impossible to ever find out the exact details but I'm hopeful that someone out there has seen the same engraving somewhere, or any feature that gives me some more information. Thank you all for the information, I am still new to percussion firearm history.

[akjesb]

I also found a muzzle loader, percussion cap double barrel .36 ball thick wall top and buckshot (.680) bottom thin wall.  It has mule ear side hammers that open out to the right side, single trigger.  The only marking appears to be "RINGTON". A gent today suggested that it was a Michigan double and I should contact James Kelly as an authority on Mich. rifles.  He suggested that the barrels ls appear to have been procured from England and the rifle/shotgun assembled by a local smith.  Most of the stock and the trigger guard are missing and I would very much like to locate a photo to allow emulation in restoration. 

[Kennyg]

I have a Felix Settle rifle with what you have describe