Feedback requested on long rifle (revised - new photo's and additional stats)

[dude]

I inherited this long rifle from my late father after it passed to him from my uncle and prior to him belonged to a Mr. Samuel Ziegler all of Winston-Salem. I have no other documented info on the gun other than markings and style of gunsmith. There are initials engraved on the cocking mechanism (probably not the correct technical term) that appear to be either A.N. or N.V. It has been converted from flintlock to percussion. The stock and barrel are tiger maple and in overall excellent condition. The lock is Field and Langstroth and features a hunting scene engraved on it. There are brass furnishings on the barrel and buttplate. Barrel is 1” from flat to flat and 7/16’ wide. Brass buttplate is 1.5” at its' widest point. Rifle measures 62” from butt to muzzle with the barrel @ 46.5". There are small indentations in the stock on both sides of the rifle located just behind the lock mortise.   

I would love to hear any feedback you might offer as to age, maker, origin, etc as well as any tips on taking care of it.



Thanks,

"The dude abides."


... The Big Lewbowski

http://s800.photobucket.com/albums/yy290/lmickey98/long%20rifle/?action=view&current=longrifle011.jpg
http://s800.photobucket.com/albums/yy290/lmickey98/long%20rifle/?action=view&current=longrifle001.jpg
http://s800.photobucket.com/albums/yy290/lmickey98/long%20rifle/?action=view&current=longrifle004.jpg
http://s800.photobucket.com/albums/yy290/lmickey98/long%20rifle/?action=view&current=longrifle002.jpg
http://s800.photobucket.com/albums/yy290/lmickey98/long%20rifle/?action=view&current=longrifle003.jpg
http://s800.photobucket.com/albums/yy290/lmickey98/long%20rifle/?action=view&current=longrifle005.jpg
http://s800.photobucket.com/albums/yy290/lmickey98/long%20rifle/?action=view&current=longrifle007.jpg
http://s800.photobucket.com/albums/yy290/lmickey98/long%20rifle/?action=view&current=longrifle008.jpg

[Dr. Tim-Boone]

Can't tell much just from pics of the muzzle.

[dude]

Sorry about that, I thought the one link gave access to the whole album. Hope these give you a better idea.



http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy290/lmickey98/lingrifle4.jpg

http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy290/lmickey98/longrifle.jpg

http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy290/lmickey98/longrifle3.jpg

http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy290/lmickey98/longrifle2.jpg



Thanks,


"The dude abides."


... The Big Lebowski

[mbriggs]

This looks like a late Salem Longrifle.  There were three gunshops operating in Salem when this rifle was made.  This includes Timothy Vogler, William Dettmar, and George Foltz.  If the rifle is not signed on the barrel by the maker, it would not be possible to tell you which one made it.

If you want to learn more, go to the musem section at the bottom of the forums page, select Educational Research, N.C. Longrifle Schools, and #4 the Salem School.  You can also purchase my book, The Longrifle Makers of Forsyth County and Davidson County if you wish.

I live in Greensboro and will have Salem Rifles on display and the books for sale at the Greensboro Gun Show at the Coliseum in two weeks. (Feb. 6 & 7th.)  Bring the rifle to the show and I will see if I can tell you more about it. 

Michael Briggs

[dude]

Thanks for your response and the outstanding piece on NC gunsmiths. Extremely informative. I will do my best to get up to the show...I'm live near Waxhaw but it would be worth the trip I'm sure.


 

[dude]

Any chance these markings might lead to the maker?


http://s800.photobucket.com/albums/yy290/lmickey98/Possible%20makers%20marks/

[mbriggs]

I do not think so.

Michael