A. Pratt

[Dan'l 1946]

 Hello folks. Has anyone ever run across the name "A. Pratt"? I recently found a half stock percussion rifle with his name on it. From Missouri maybe.
 I wondered if he might be a relative of Ian Pratt. Thanks.  Dan

[Dave R]

There was a Pratt that built muzzleloaders in New Harmony IN back  mid 1800's? There is mention of him in the book Gunmakers Of Indiana by Lindert if any readers have one!

Dave R

[Dan'l 1946]

Thanks, Dave. I think this might be a modern rifle, but I've only seen photographs of it. I'm pretty sure it's a Missouri rifle--maybe forty years old.
                                                    Dan

[JV Puleo]

There is also Alvin Pratt, a prominent Massachusetts maker. His work goes well into the percussion period. Some pictures would be helpful. Is it possibly a modern rifle using an old barrel? The Pratt brothers, Henry and Alvin etched their names on the barrels "A. Pratt" and H. Pratt."

[Dan'l 1946]

Joe, I grew up surrounded by Pratts, and never thought of the local ones. The more I think about it, I think you may be right--and the rifle may be older than I first thought. I don't really need another .45, but....

[JV Puleo]

I like Pratt rifles and for some reason I seem to bump into them. I think I've had 3 Henry Pratts and bid on another just a few weeks ago (a wreck and I'm just as glad someone valued it more than I did) Henry sometimes used a slightly unusual handrail trigger guard that I've only seen on his rifles that looks like it was inspired by the 1817 common rifle. Its noticeable because NE guns almost never have distinctive brass bits.

On the rare occasion that I go shooting I use an original H. Pratt flint rifle.

Joe Puleo

[Dan'l 1946]

Joe, you might want to check out the A. Pratt rifle on Gunbroker. #170871256  Dan

[JV Puleo]

Wow...a real original rifle "restorated" to look like a cheap reproduction. It never ceases to amaze me.