Author Topic: 1850s Western Virginia rifle--new pics at bottom (Read 10964 times)

mountainman70 · « **on:** July 29, 2012, 03:03:04 AM »

Hi Friends;I recently purchased an 1840/50s vintage 28cal rifle,horn and pouch and it is reported to have been owned by a fellow from Philippi Va-now WVa,and was carried by him in his travels.Dont know if there is a Civil War connection.Cap tin is stamped 1858.Gun is untouched except oil on barrel and lock internals.More pics on photobucket,mountainman70
Any input on where it was built?I appreciate any interest.Thanks,Dave

ucket.com/albums/y373/mountainman70/tchawkenandolwvarifle022.jpg[/IMG]

Shreckmeister · « **Reply #1 on:** July 29, 2012, 04:20:44 AM »

In the black!!!!! Very nice. Looks like a nice piece of curly maple. Maybe
from right where you found it. Nice poured cap! I like it.

D. Taylor Sapergia · « **Reply #2 on:** July 29, 2012, 05:17:51 AM »

It looks like you have an outstanding rifle there. I'd love to see some better photos...a pale blue or grey cloth backdrop would show it off much better. the rifle has super architecture - very pleasing to the eye.

mountainman70 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 29, 2012, 06:24:05 AM »

Thanks guys,I will try to get better pics.Hard to get em,gun is soooooo black,the finish we all try to duplicate.It is a very nice piece of curly.Large Golcher lock.Gun ended up in San Antonio area.GGGgrandaughter of orig owner sold it to dealer I bought it from.I feel good about bringing him home to WVa.Couldnt believe getting horn/pouch.
The architecture around lock mortices is interesting.Maybe better pics will show it.Again,Thanks.Dave

btw specs are: oal-56" lop-13" barrel-39 1/2x15/16x28 cal straight.

heelerau · « **Reply #4 on:** July 29, 2012, 08:15:41 AM »

That is a lovely combination, rifle and gear, and some provena'nce for it as well as well. Wonder if the GGG of the original owner has any ancient relatives alive that may shed further light on this rifle? What is the bore like, would it still be a shooter?

Cheers

Gordon

mountainman70 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 29, 2012, 04:02:09 PM »

I am going to try contacting her on phone,guess email not working.We ran a rod/brush down barrel,checking for load,found only loose rust,and a smooth tight bore,about 1-48 twist.I am really struggling to keep from going any further with a clean and shoot.It is almost like a sacred ground thing ,this ol gun hasnt been messed with at all.
Funny thing is,when I have been reading about the attic finds here,I didnt figger anything like that would ever come my way.Goes to show,keep the faith.Dave

mountainman70 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 29, 2012, 09:51:30 PM »

Better pics of rifle.Here are some sharper pics,done outside in sunlight,heck,even I can see the detail.Dave

Dennis Glazener · « **Reply #7 on:** July 29, 2012, 11:09:07 PM »

Is that some type of flash guard under the drum? Never seen one like that if it is.
Dennis

Frank Barker · « **Reply #8 on:** July 30, 2012, 12:44:09 AM »

Dave....How about some pictures of the pouch and horn. Thanks and Kind Regards Frank

mountainman70 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 30, 2012, 01:12:46 AM »

Dennis-yep,it is a flash guard.I have never seen one like that either,and a copy of it is going on my fullstock early perc rifle I am building from antique parts.Have old converted Golcher lock about worked in.

Frank,I will do you one even better.Gimme a call and you can come over and see it and photo to your hearts content.Would love to see your smilin face.Dave

D. Taylor Sapergia · « **Reply #10 on:** July 30, 2012, 03:12:16 AM »

Greybeard, this looks like one of your rifles...especially the lock panels!

Fullstock longrifle · « **Reply #11 on:** July 30, 2012, 05:13:50 AM »

Quote from: Dennis Glazener on July 29, 2012, 11:09:07 PM

Is that some type of flash guard under the drum? Never seen one like that if it is.
Dennis

I've never seen anything like that either Dennis, but it sure looks like it has protected the wood well, those old boys came up with some excellent ideas.

Frank

nord · « **Reply #12 on:** July 30, 2012, 03:01:03 PM »

Apparently others had the same idea. Joseph Schafer / ALR Library

Hungry Horse · « **Reply #13 on:** July 30, 2012, 05:56:41 PM »

I have a fullstock squirrel rifle by W.H.Brown that has a flash cup like Nord pictures, but have never seen one that goes under the drum, and along the edge of the barrel. Very interesting.

Hungry Horse

mountainman70 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 30, 2012, 07:56:19 PM »

Isnt it funny,how a seemingly insignificant item will be so interesting,just because of its own uniqueness.I have a 70 pontiac catalina,and even when the car was fresh from paint and engine rebuild,all painted and freshly detailed,the ONE item folks remarked about at shows was an old type of hood lock mechanism the orig owner installed to keep the stuff under hood in place,when parked at the St Louis stockyards.
The wood under and around this guard is in way better shape than most guns of this type.As soon as i can get to it,I am going to make a copy,and post pic and dimensions here,if y'all interested.Have a great day.Dave

Tanselman · « **Reply #15 on:** July 30, 2012, 11:49:08 PM »

A rifle is currently for sale on Gunbroker.com that appears to be by the same maker. Very similar furniture, architecture, side facings, and pewter nose cap. It can be viewed at; http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=298015103 Shelby Gallien

mountainman70 · « **Reply #16 on:** July 31, 2012, 12:18:13 AM »

DO YOU BELIEVE THIS????This is twin to mine,only difference is cap box and side inlay.These old guns get around more than I did.Thanks for sharing this .Dave

JTR · « **Reply #17 on:** July 31, 2012, 02:29:53 AM »

Cheap too!

John

BGC · « **Reply #18 on:** July 31, 2012, 06:12:42 PM »

Rifle has several characteristics of a Samuel Todd Sherwood from Doddridge County, WV. I have one of his rifles with the brass strip along the barrel and behind the nipple as well. If it came from Barbour County, there are several gunsmiths from that area, but this rifle doesn't look like any I've seen from there. I assume the gun isn't "signed" (no name or initials on top flat of barrel)

mountainman70 · « **Reply #19 on:** July 31, 2012, 11:10:52 PM »

Hi BGC;did you look at the link above for rifle on gunbroker?Nearly identical to mine.Original owner was a man name of Robert Dickinson,from Phillippi.His ggggrandaughter took it to Texas with her,and sold it to dealer from which I purchased.I would like to see some pics of the builder you spoke of,and what books might they be in?Thanks.Dave

BGC · « **Reply #20 on:** July 31, 2012, 11:32:51 PM »

Yes, the two rifles look pretty near identical. Too bad one or both aren't signed. Might eliminate a lot of guess work. I use Dr. James B. Whisker's "Gunsmiths of WV" book as a reference. 1st & 2nd editions are long out of print. You can still buy the last or third edition. Try Track of the Wolf or Amazon.com. They had it last time I looked. There are a lot of photo's of WV made rifles including a Sherwood in his books. Like I said, your rifle might have come from Barbour County (Phillippi), as there were several gunsmiths from that area. Daniels and Shomo are two off the top of my mind. Daniels rifles were very much different. Not sure about the Shomo. These two gentlemen mostly signed their work, but could be possible that an apprentice made it in their shop or yet another smith made guns in that area and never signed his guns. Good luck in your search.

Avlrc · « **Reply #21 on:** August 01, 2012, 02:01:59 AM »

mountainman70, I have a few extra copies of "Gunsmiths of West Virginia" that BGC mentioned. If you want one PM me with your address. I will let you have it for 40.00, Think that is what I paid for them......

mountainman70 · « **Reply #22 on:** August 01, 2012, 05:46:16 AM »

Where else could a person go to get help and info like this?I am so thankful to be part of this site.Thanks to all y'all.Dave

mountainman70 · « **Reply #23 on:** August 25, 2012, 11:35:27 PM »

Here are pics of old flash guard,and info on making new one for project guns

I used a piece of .034 x4"x1" brass stock.Put masking tape on brass to layout design,these are 3/8 widex31/2 long,drill hole to suit.After filing burrs and wrapping around 7/16 drill bit,I roughly fitted to origional gun,and here is what I got.Made a couple of em.Hope this interests y'all.Thanks,Dave

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Author Topic: 1850s Western Virginia rifle--new pics at bottom (Read 10964 times)

BGC

BGC