Scoped Target Rifles

[BigSkyRambler]

Anyone on here familiar with mid 19th century scoped target rifles? Wondering if it could be a possible Civil War sharp shooter rifle. The right period and configuration. About .44. Barrel marked C. DIECKOW UTICA N.Y. Scope marked G.A. HENYON MAKER. Single set trigger. Weighs about 11 lbs, so easy to move around with. Saw a photo of a Union sharpshooter unit armed with similar rifles.  Trying to assess value and market. Kind of out of my wheelhouse.

[Daryl]

Do you have the bullet starter for it?

[Hungry Horse]

 That is an unusual muzzle that uses a bullet starter I have not seen before. I would guess this is a target rifle made in the early 1870’s. I own a muzzleloader made by Charles Slotterbek with a sighting tube, and an early cartridge rifle by the same gunsmith that has a genuine scope very much like the one your rifle.

Hungry Horse

[Bob Roller]

I did "double take" when I saw that picture.I thought it was my old 58 caliber rifle with the Malcolm scope I made in 1958 and made some extreme range shots** with at Bill Large's range.
Bob Roller
**399 measured yards with round balls.

[BigSkyRambler]

Do you have the bullet starter for it?

Sadly, no.

[Bob Roller]

A false muzzle is not needed.Octagon barrels have TWO dimensions.Across the flats AND the corners.I made a starter by measuring across the corners and making a guide starter that would barely slip down over them.I was then able to load a 300 grain bullet into a round ball barrel.This is about a hunting weight rifle and the bullet was .457 intended for a 45-90 breech loader.
I almost forgot.I owned for years an N.G.Whitmore 40 caliber rifle with a full length telescope sight.It had a butt stock,no firearm and a back action lock of high quality and double set triggers with silver guard and butt plate.The contours of the butt stock seemed to be identical in shape to the Grant rifle by Whitmore.Same color as well.Great shooter too.Another one that I should never sold.
Bob Roller

[Daryl]

I suspect this rifle has a Remington barrel on it, that was turned at the muzzle for a guide starter for bullet(or ball) .
This picture shows not only the grooves but also the lands have been filed out to allow the patch and ball/bullet to
form into the muzzle. It also appears to have a fairly fast rifling twist - perhaps 36 to 48", but not fast enough for a
long bullet.

[Frozen Run]

The barrel is for a picket ball, a type of very short conical that was popular briefly with target shooters. The round section near the muzzle is to accept a press that starts it dead straight. You may want to try the North South Skirmish Association where there are still a few picket ball enthusiasts.

[BigSkyRambler]

Thanks.  Joining is near impossible unless you get active with local or regional group. Not interested in the lifestyle at this point.

[Frozen Run]

They have a forum that anyone can join.

[Clowdis]

Yes, the forum is open to all whether you are a member or not. However since Pickett rifles aren't used in N-SSA competition there is little to no discussion on them. There are however knowledgeable people there that could discuss it if they would.

[Daryl]

Our own Dan, Dphar, has some experience with picket rifles.

[Hungry Horse]

 BSR, I keep coming back to this gun and think Charles Slotterbek either was in close contact with the builder of your gun, or one of these gunsmiths trained the other. My C. Slotterbek has the same barrel treatment as your rifle, including the turned muzzle for a bullet starter, no underrib for the ramrod pipes, and I would suspect that the forearm barrel key on you gun passes through a slot in the bottom of the barrel. C. Slotterbek also used the same triggerguard except in steel instead of brass.
 I meant to ask you if your gun has a cheekpiece, those built by Slotterbek after he moved from San Francisco to Lakeport  do not.

Hungry Horse

[Uncle Miltie]

Nice picket rifle, typical NY state type.
Nice scope as well.
Muzzle appears to take a guide starter and a pre cut round linen patch.
Very, very few of these ever saw military service, and unless there is 100% provenance it's likely it never did.
I've been shooting picket rifles for over30 years now.  We shoot them at the club in Canal Fulton OH.
Nice rifle!

[Daryl]

Amazing photo. 1st time I have seen it. Notice the similarity of the trigger guards, in the photo and in the first post, this thread.

[JV Puleo]

Is that "Andrew's Sharp Shooters" raised in Massachusetts and named after the Governor? Many of their rifles were made by Marshall Tidd. He was a very talented mechanic but mostly worked for his brother's textile company maintaining their machines. He went back to gunmaking during the CW specifically to make target rifles for them...which would explain their similarity.

[smart dog]

Hi Guys,
I am sorry to be a stick in the mud but we do not allow discussion of Civil War arms in this forum.  Our cut off is 1860 and we to adhere to that except occasionally long rifles made after 1860 that exhibit a continuation of the style and craftsmanship traditional to earlier long rifles are allowed.  Read our rules. As moderators we likely lock this thread.   

dave