Author Topic: looking for help in identifying a rifle I inherited (Read 11887 times)

brazosdave · « **on:** January 02, 2013, 10:43:53 PM »

Hello all, I inherited a old rifle from my grandfather several years ago and am looking for help in identifying it. My Grandfather lived in Ohio, and this was where this was in an attic for many yrs. I will post some additional pictures. The original candy striped ramrod was broken in mailing, and also a chip was broken out of the forestock. It is missing the catch for the patch box lid. The old nipple was mushroomed out, we got a new nipple threaded in enough to fire off one shot last Saturday, it still shoots great! I have to have the drum machined to accept a new threaded nipple. In my research, the makers mark on the lockplate may indicate J.B. Hixon, but no one I know has much knowledge on older rifles. I was hoping that ya'll could take a look at these pictures and perhaps shed some light for me. Thanks!

brazosdave · « **Reply #1 on:** January 02, 2013, 10:44:49 PM »

brazosdave · « **Reply #2 on:** January 02, 2013, 10:45:48 PM »

brazosdave · « **Reply #3 on:** January 02, 2013, 10:46:47 PM »

brazosdave · « **Reply #4 on:** January 02, 2013, 10:47:52 PM »

WadePatton · « **Reply #5 on:** January 02, 2013, 10:56:45 PM »

Hey Dave, welcome. now Less Coffee, more pics

. They'll want to see the guard and entry pipe and off-side lock panel.

much luck.

nord · « **Reply #6 on:** January 02, 2013, 11:00:24 PM »

Just to clarify...

Photos should be as follows:

Butt to just forward of lock from all sides.
Details of trigger guard.
Wear plate forward of trigger group (if existing).
Signature on top barrel flat (if existing).
Full side views.
Muzzle detail.

brazosdave · « **Reply #7 on:** January 02, 2013, 11:11:14 PM »

ok, I will shoot some more pics, It's getting pretty nasty out now, so I will more than likely post them tomorrow

Avlrc · « **Reply #8 on:** January 03, 2013, 01:20:58 AM »

Patchbox looks like an Evick. Adam Evick from Pendleton County WV,(one of them went to Wood County) he had two sons John & William. All three were gunsmiths. Most of their rifles had very similar patchboxes and used the push button release. There patchboxes always looked to small for their rifles. That is just my first impression.

PPatch · « **Reply #9 on:** January 03, 2013, 02:29:40 AM »

Welcome to the forum Dave

For your photography may I suggest:

Do it outside if possible, an overcast day is perfect.

Keep white out of the frame.

The same goes for anything else in the frame such as that clutter (blue sponge etc.) in your first two pictures. For your background that table showing in the first two photos might work or put it on the driveway.

Either something is up with the auto-focus on your camera or it has a not too good a lens, or the lens is dirty. Try another camera if possible. I look at the picture of you shooting and nothing is in focus or the resolution on the camera is way low or, again, a dirty lens.

Sorry to knock your camera but that is what I see. Hope this helps.

dave

smokinbuck · « **Reply #10 on:** January 03, 2013, 02:56:49 AM »

Dave,
I'm not certain that a touch mark on a lock plate would indicate the maker of the rifle, usually not, but could be. I don't know where your grandfather lived but I have a listing for a John Briggs Hixon in Antrim, Guernsey County, Ohio from 1822-1899. His touch mark consists of an arrow with 2 vertical lines through it, forming the letter "H". Hope this helps a little.
Mark

Avlrc · « **Reply #11 on:** January 03, 2013, 03:03:36 AM »

I was going to say that the mark on the lock probably did not have anything to do with the maker of the rifle, however , I just read that Ohio maker John Briggs Hixon did mark the locks & barrels with a H & an arrow through the center. 1822-1899 Antrim, Guernsey County Ohio.During the Civil War, John served in Company I ,176 TH Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

JTR · « **Reply #12 on:** January 03, 2013, 03:08:49 AM »

Welcome to the forum, and thanks for posting pictures of your rifle!
Be sure to save the broken ramrod and the piece knocked out of the forearm. Both are easy repairs with the original pieces.

Be sure to look closely on the top flat of the barrel between the rear sight and the breech for a name of maybe just initials. That would be the rifle makers name. The H with an arrow through it on the lock, while interesting, is more than likely just the maker of the lock. As Avirc notes, if you can find that same mark on the barrel you'll most likely have your guy!

John