A couple Leman American long rifles

[Foudufoot]

Hello, this is my first post on this forum.  I wanted to share my two long rifles and solicit information on the trade/plains rifle from those knowledgeable about the types produced by Leman for specific markets.  The one with the curly maple stock is a .355 caliber, 7-groove rifle with a set trigger.  From what I have read, this is not your typical mass-produced, smoothbore trade gun, but something maybe custom built for a local hunter or market.   The smaller caliber suggests it was maybe not a larger caliber plains rifle designed for hunting buffalo and other large game.  Comments are welcome.

The darker one was a 1803 Harper's Ferry flintlock converted to percussion by Leman just before the Civil war.  It is the one described in Moller's Volume III on page 82.         

[cshirsch]

There are many non-military rifles with Leman locks.  Lemon sold a lot of locks to various gun builders.  Sorry, but that rifle does not appear to be made by the Leman factory.

[Foudufoot]

There are many non-military rifles with Leman locks.  Lemon sold a lot of locks to various gun builders.  Sorry, but that rifle does not appear to be made by the Leman factory.

Thanks for the comment.  Could you p[lease elaborate? What features appear non-Lemanesque to you? Thoughts on my other questions?  TIA   

[cshirsch]

The barrels are stamped with Leman's name and WARRANTED.   They did make some engraved rifles but most were very plain.  They mostly used artificial striping on plain maple stocks.  The trigger guards used on most rifles were the same type, shown in the photo.  The common capboxes he used were unique to his rifles.  Some  Leman Trade rifles used a particular patchbox.  Through the years, I have owned numerous original Leman rifles.  I hope this helps.  Chris

[Foudufoot]

Thanks Chris, that is indeed very helpful.  I searched the patchbox and found an identical one on a similar half-stock rifle by a Henry Gunckel, reportedly an armorer from Miami Ohio who also used locks from Pennsylvania. 

https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/detail.cfm?gun_id=102783802

A tantalizing hint, but I can find no information on this gunsmith online.   Maybe someone here has heard of him?

[Clowdis]

The bottom rifle is an 1803 Harpers Ferry rifle that has been converted to percussion ignition. I can't add a whole lot about the top one.