Author Topic: Fordney rifle - again  (Read 3903 times)

Offline Larry Luck

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Fordney rifle - again
« on: May 25, 2009, 02:28:25 AM »
I'm thinking of doing another Fordney rifle, this time with a horsehead box.  As I was googling Melchior Fordney I came across this rifle.  Much different from any other Fordney I know.

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51-HHjKZK6L._SL75_.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.collectorebooks.com/gregg01/kentucky/Lot-3067.htm&usg=__0zsm7wMRvUsd338Amhqjrni2ulc=&h=75&w=56&sz=3&hl=en&start=2&um=1&tbnid=udiutQE2HNILiM:&tbnh=71&tbnw=53&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmelchior%2Bfordney%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1

The triggerguard looks right, but everything else is way different.  Any thoughts?

Larry Luck

Offline rich pierce

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Re: Fordney rifle - again
« Reply #1 on: May 25, 2009, 02:57:25 AM »
Patchbox engraving, carving, etc look different to me.
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Offline B Shipman

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Re: Fordney rifle - again
« Reply #2 on: May 25, 2009, 07:11:37 AM »
A very nice restock of a Fordney barrel. The box is very Schreyer. Prehaps something from N. Maryland. Prehaps restocking parts from various sources.

Offline mr. no gold

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Re: Fordney rifle - again
« Reply #3 on: May 25, 2009, 07:13:14 AM »
The signature on the barrel appears to be an attempt to tie an unamed rifle to M. Fordney. The signature on my Fordney (right as rain!) does not even come close to matching up with the one on this rifle.
Carving , architecture, and patchbox look like the work around Chambersburg, PA and the maker that comes to mind is A. Schweitzer.
Dick

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Re: Fordney rifle - again
« Reply #4 on: May 25, 2009, 07:45:16 AM »
I agree with NO GOLD, that signature doesn't look right at all. Look like who ever signed it was trying to copy it. The letters in the script aren't formed like any originals I have seen. Number being 5 of them.
Close friend has or had a Fordney Fowler and it didn't appear as such. Have a slide of it some where.

Offline Dphariss

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Re: Fordney rifle - again
« Reply #5 on: May 25, 2009, 04:08:42 PM »

It takes something of a stretch to accept that barrel marking as something M Fordney would do.
He was a pretty good engraver after all.
Whoever put it on there should have practiced longer.

Dan
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Offline Larry Luck

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Re: Fordney rifle - again
« Reply #6 on: May 25, 2009, 04:26:33 PM »
Thanks, all.  I could not see this as consistent with other Fordneys I have seen one or two first hand and the others in photos.
I do like his work.
Larry Luck

Offline Mike Brooks

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Re: Fordney rifle - again
« Reply #7 on: May 25, 2009, 05:03:04 PM »
Spurious signature I'd say.
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