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Author Topic: Muzzleloader Indentifcation  (Read 1948 times)

Sdw6662

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Muzzleloader Indentifcation
« on: February 16, 2021, 06:33:01 AM »
Good evening
My father recently inherited this rifle from his deceased Brother who was 87. The story was that the gun belonged to his Grandfather. So I’m guessing at least Civil war era give or take a few years. The only markings on the gun say Rifleworks with a scene with a hunter and waterfowl. The barrel is aprox 40” long and appears to be around 36 cal. I’ll try to add pictures to this post if I can. Any help with the maker or time period would be appreciated. Thank you!!













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Offline Shreckmeister

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Re: Muzzleloader Indentifcation
« Reply #1 on: February 16, 2021, 03:50:32 PM »
Looks Pittsburgh/Western PA to me. Hammer not original.
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Offline WESTbury

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Re: Muzzleloader Indentifcation
« Reply #2 on: February 16, 2021, 07:28:37 PM »
That is a nice looking rifle and looks to be "unmessed" with, which is rare.
I think it is a lot earlier than Civil War period, but I'm not one of the more knowledgeable longrifle people on this forum. The hammer may not be original, but it is pretty cool and the counterplate is nice as well.

The triggerguard is very distinctive. There are a few rifles in Whisker's Behold the Longrifle, that have the same style triggerguard. Whisker labels those rifles as being from Ohio.
« Last Edit: February 16, 2021, 09:23:40 PM by WESTbury »
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Offline Daniel Coats

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Re: Muzzleloader Indentifcation
« Reply #3 on: February 16, 2021, 07:45:25 PM »
Conestoga Rifle Works maybe?
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Offline Kevin

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Re: Muzzleloader Indentifcation
« Reply #4 on: February 16, 2021, 08:40:16 PM »
Am I seeing a "N" as possibly the last letter of whatever may have been in the top part of the oval mark on the lockplate?

Kevin
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Offline Ky-Flinter

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Re: Muzzleloader Indentifcation
« Reply #5 on: February 16, 2021, 08:44:18 PM »
Quote from: Kevin on February 16, 2021, 08:40:16 PM
Am I seeing a "N" as possibly the last letter of whatever may have been in the top part of the oval mark on the lockplate?

Kevin

I agree, whatever name was in the upper side is mostly worn away, but it appears the last letter was an "N".  The word "Leman" would fit the spacing.  Were Leman rifles ever marked this way?

-Ron 
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Sdw6662

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Re: Muzzleloader Indentifcation
« Reply #6 on: February 16, 2021, 09:14:49 PM »
 We are from Zanesville, Ohio so you guys referencing Ohio are probably on to something.
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Offline Tanselman

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Re: Muzzleloader Indentifcation
« Reply #7 on: February 16, 2021, 11:34:20 PM »
As previously mentioned, the shotgun style hammer is a replacement. The guard with its smaller rear spur looks like western PA to me, from Pittsburgh going west toward the Ohio line.  Shelby Gallien
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Offline Shreckmeister

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Re: Muzzleloader Indentifcation
« Reply #8 on: February 17, 2021, 12:55:30 AM »
A proper hammer should be easy to find and would enhance the appearance.
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Offline Seth Isaacson

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Re: Muzzleloader Indentifcation
« Reply #9 on: February 17, 2021, 01:35:37 AM »
That is a Union Rifle Works lock. I've seen a few of them, and all have had the same lock marking style. They were based in Philadelphia in the lead up to the Civil War. Here is another example (not my photo):
« Last Edit: February 17, 2021, 01:42:26 AM by Seth I. »
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Sdw6662

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Re: Muzzleloader Indentifcation
« Reply #10 on: February 17, 2021, 06:00:19 AM »
Thank you Seth!!
 That sure is the same engraving on our gun and fits the N we’re seen at the top side of the label. That will give us something to go on. My Dad will be happy to hear that.
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Offline James Wilson Everett

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Re: Muzzleloader Indentifcation
« Reply #11 on: February 18, 2021, 03:18:54 PM »
Drop the ramrod down the bore to be sure that it is unloaded, many originals have been loaded for many years.

Jim
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Sdw6662

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Re: Muzzleloader Indentifcation
« Reply #12 on: February 19, 2021, 05:51:00 AM »
 Thanks Jim
I actually ran an endoscope down the barrel to check the condition. The barrel was empty and actually pretty clean. I was noticing the rifling in the barrel. It appeared almost straight or very little twist.
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