Thought I'd bring this over from the Antiqueguns site... More photos to come.
Pennsylvania long rifle
Posted by: zipollini (71.244.232.43)
Date: August 14, 2009 03:30PM
This is the 1st time that I have posted on this site so please bare with me a little. I recently inherited what I belive to be a Pennsylvania long rifle and would like to get some information on the gun such as history or info on the maker, history of the gun, materials, possible worth, etc. I have absolutely no knowledge about guns so any information you could provide would be very helpful. I have attached some photos that I hope will be useful. If you need any more - please let me know. Here is what I have so far. On the top of the barrel near the rear sight is the the engraving "Afordney - Lancaster, PA". I'm guessing that this is the maker and his location. The overall length of the gun is 55 inches. That is as far as i have gotten.
Thanks in advance for your help
S.M. (Edited)
Ohio
USA
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AG Comments:
Seth -
It's my great pleasure to inform you that based upon what I've seen so far you have a treasure there. I'll first inform you that as much as I'd wish to own this rifle I cannot make you an offer nor will I ever as to do so would be a violation of ethics. I'll further inform you that an open discussion of value in public is probably not in your best interest, though I can give an estimated range in my formal answer here (With your permission.)
Before I say more I'd ask you to visit the ALR Museum & Library at [americanlongrifles.org]. This will give you an idea of the photos and documentation I'll need. I'll further ask you to call me at (888) 330-9610 and I'll share what I know privately. I'll then ask you to consider exactly what can be shared on the public boards.
As a matter of courtesy and security I'm also going to edit your name from the above post.
Do you begin to get the idea that this isn't a common trade rifle?
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Bruce - Great to talk to you today. You gave me a ton of great info. I've had some problems getting more pictures to you thru the email address's that you gave me but I will keep trying. I have attached 3 photos of three different guns with the Fordney name engraved in three different ways that I found on the web today.
The 1st photo named "M Fordney 1"
The second photo titled "M Fordney 2" was from this site
[www.skinnerinc.com]
The 3rd photo titled "M Fordney 3" is a picture of my gun which matches the 2nd photo.
So far I have found 3 Fordney's. Malchior, Casper and Jacob.
Thanks again for your help and I hope I can get you some more pics.
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ill mwager my autographed photo of NoBama that it was made in Lancaster Co, PA, and may be signed. Look on top flat of barrel to see if signature/ initials. I'll also wager my lovely photograph of Billary that it is artificially striped wood. Those 2 things said, my guess is GIBBS or DREPPERD. Somewhere I think I saw "tade gun" which I'd bet my signed pic of Nancy Pelosi it ain't. Checkerong at wright is characteristic of c.1840 Lancaster pieces. Nice collectoble gun. Measure barrel length + look for a signature, focus your camera too.
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"ill mwager my autographed photo of NoBama that it was made in Lancaster Co, PA, and may be signed."
As I mentioned in my post - It says something (unknown letter) "Fordney - Lancastrer, PA"
"Look on top flat of barrel to see if signature/ initials."
See above and my original post
"I'll also wager my lovely photograph of Billary that it is artificially striped wood."
Couldn't tell ya.
"Those 2 things said, my guess is GIBBS or DREPPERD."
Why does it say "Fordney - Lancaster, PA" on the barrel then ?
"Somewhere I think I saw "tade gun" which I'd bet my signed pic of Nancy Pelosi it ain't."
Huh ?
"Checkerong at wright is characteristic of c.1840 Lancaster pieces."
Huh ?
"Nice collectoble gun. Measure barrel length + look for a signature,"
Total gun length = 55inches barrel length = 40inches
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I missed Fordney name in your initial posting. Why not concentrate on taking decent photos instead of biting a hand that feeds you? No more from me. O, yes, the typo== it's "wrist" vice "wright" sorry my fault. There is a wonderful story Bruce nows on the death of Melchior Fordney.
