Rifle by G. Ruxton

[Old Ford2]

I just acquired a very fine rifle by G. Ruxton.
It is a Leman style, with a .54 cal. barrel, 30" in length.
The stock is full length in curly maple.
The rifle is percussion, but appears to be converted from flint. ( nicely done! )
I have not seen Mr. Ruxton's name before ( as a gun maker )
Can someone tell me more about Mr. Ruxton, he did make a very fine rifle.
Fred

[Bill Paton]

Fred,

Is there any chance you are looking at the owner’s name? George Ruxton was an English adventurer in the 1840’s who traveled in Spain, Mexico, American Rockies, and eastern Canada, living like a mountain man in the Rockies, and at home with the elite and riffraff, as well. He was a stunningly good writer, recording his experiences captivatingly. He died in his late 20’s in St Louis of illness while on his way back to the Rockies for more adventure. His books are fantastic reads and give detailed accounts of life in the wilderness at that time. You may have a real treasure if this link can be verified.

That said, I’ll go to my library later today to look up Ruxton as a maker, too.

Bill Paton

[Dave Dolliver]

There was a Gary Ruxton working out of the Eugene OR  area in the 1980's.  He made mostly fur trade types but later did some eastern styles I.m told.

Might be one of his.

Dave Dolliver

[Bill Paton]

Well, Fred, Dave Dolliver just threw your historic treasure out the window, but you may have a real contemporary treasure instead! There are no Ruxtons listed in Sellers, Gardner, or Herr. This fine rifle you may want to hunt with! Bill Paton

[Old Ford2]

Hi,
Thank you, good fellows.
This gun is definitely not an antique, but it was made by a skilled craftsman.
I am looking forward to sending a few balls down range with it.
There are some good gun makers out there.
All the best !
Fred

[Bill Paton]

When you said it was converted from flintlock, I was really excited about it being antique, and the G. Ruxton name was just too much to ignore! Glad you have a good quality shooter, even if it didn’t belong to George.  Bill Paton

[Gary Ruxton]

I would be the builder of that rifle. The pics are of one I made 1/23/1982. Does it look the same and is the signature on the barrel like the one I show as well? It wouldn't be a conversion. I used an L&R percussion lock on it.
Kinda kool that someone snuck this out of the States across the border, eh? Especially with the gun laws up there. Their definition of gun includes muzzleloaders and they all must have a serial number. This one doesn't. (I survived Secondary school in N. Van, BC, so I was familiar with some of that stuff).
http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/q733/1929roadster/Lyman_zpsjaepkkn4.jpg

[smylee grouch]

Welcome to the forum Gary Ruxton. Looks like a nice rifle you made.

[Bill Paton]

Gary Ruxton,

Welcome. Is there any chance you are related to old George? See my post of Aug 9, 2015 on this thread.

Bill Paton, admiring George Ruxton the author.

[Old Ford2]

I would be the builder of that rifle. The pics are of one I made 1/23/1982. Does it look the same and is the signature on the barrel like the one I show as well? It wouldn't be a conversion. I used an L&R percussion lock on it.
Kinda kool that someone snuck this out of the States across the border, eh? Especially with the gun laws up there. Their definition of gun includes muzzleloaders and they all must have a serial number. This one doesn't. (I survived Secondary school in N. Van, BC, so I was familiar with some of that stuff).
http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/q733/1929roadster/Lyman_zpsjaepkkn4.jpg

Hello Gary,
I just found the post ( forgot about it )
You do make a very fine rifle. I will try and post a few pictures of the one that I have.
A friend of mine purchased it in New Mexico, several years ago.  Then brought it back to Canada.
By the way, there are minimal restrictions in bringing ( traditional ) muzzleloaders to Canada.
As to serial numbers, some people "DO" put them under the side plate, or butt plate, and on the oblique side of the barrel.
Barely visible with the stock covering most of the numbers.
I do hope that you are still building fine rifles!
Thank you for your post!
Fred

[Gary Ruxton]

Thanks for the congrats. As to the serial numbers on the guns in Canada: In 1976, when I returned to Canada after University in Texas, I had a Griswold & Gunnison revolver I put together from a kit. The RCMP had a fit over that one. I had to go to the nearest RCMP office and register it with the promise I would stamp a serial# on it, which was required. Then I had to get a permit to 'convey' it to my parents home in N. Vancouver.

My grandfather had all the GF Ruxton books. He said we were related to Ruxton, but I don't know how. I think it comes from before his parents. His father was English. We were from Aberdeen, Scotland, so the crossover occurred in the 1700's.

[Bill Paton]

Thanks, Gary, for the family background. I hope you have read the Ruxton books--they are personal frontier history wonderfully written.

Bill Paton