Full Stock Percussion Heavy Barrel Match Rifle

[Mule Brain]

Dang nicest stock I have seen in person, too bad the wrist cracked and has been repaired. The bore is a mirror, and the lock needs some tlc. She is way to heavy to hunt for sure. I will be putting it back into match service. I may be able to off hand shoot this rifle as well.

Once in awhile you run across a gem, and I am thrilled with this one

 

[rich pierce]

Very nice! What does it weigh and what’s the caliber?
I’ve freshed the rifling on a couple dozen now. If you unbreech it, remove the drum first.  The drum often intersects the breechplug. To see bore condition well I clean and lube the bore then pound an oversized round ball into the muzzle, short start it, and then ram it though and out the breech. Now I have a slug that tells me a lot plus how it felt ramming it through the length. If tight and loose spots and many striations on the slug then lapping won’t be enough to make it a shooter. You may be lucky.

[Mule Brain]

Well it weighs in at 12.5 lbs, and caliber is .36. A .350 ball with .20 patch fits it well. I am wondering if this rifle is really intended for off hand matches. There is no evidence of it being rested that I can see. Running a tight fitting cleaning jag through it, feels like glass. The lock only has full cock, and no half cock. When they glued the wrist up, some glue got into the trigger area, so I need to pull that and clean. 

I cannot find any markings, but the lock looks like N Ashmore

[Longknife]

I find that these old guns were much heavier than we like to handle now days.  a 12 pound rifle was pretty common. I dont believe they were shot off hand much like we do today. They rested them on a tree when hunting and then there were the over the log matches and plank matches. The locks were often made without a half cock to be used with a set trigger, saved time and money,,,,,LK

[rich pierce]

Great that you found one with a really nice bore. Well cared for. I have a 12 pound original about the same caliber. Offhand I have to settle and shoot. No messing around!

[Mule Brain]

I got the trigger out, and cleaned up and working proper. I had to re notch the tumbler, so the lock now works as well. This gun is nearly ready for a shoot.   

[Kittleson]

PM sent

[Panzerschwein]

Try a .355 and 0.15 patch for best accuracy.

[Mule Brain]

Shot a .350 ball with .20 patch today, with 40 grains of fff.  At 25yd standard competition target, on practice first shot flyer a fouling shot, and the other three were a tight group touching each other. The sights on this old rifle are terrible, and I will change them out. The old nipple will get changed out as well, as the caps aren't sealing tight enough. It isn't too bad to hold off hand, and with better sights should run well.

I really see nothing wrong with running an antique rifle if the mechanics, and bore are nice.  My firing shooting next to me suggested to just not shoot it and hang it on the wall.  Well I intend to run the rifle, and why not? I won't hurt it, and maintain my guns well.         

[Daniel Coats]

Seems too nice to just hang on the wall to me.

[JBJ]

I think Mule and I went to the same class. If I own it, I shoot it! And lovingly take care of it.
J.B.

[oldtravler61]

  UGH yep me too...! Every gun I own is a shooter. Nothing wrong with collecting. But I like to hunt
with mine...  Oldtravler

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

My observation is that most of the wear marks and dings rifles get happen moving a rifle in and out of a vehicle.  They are made to withstand the rigors of hunting, and so I use mine as well.  Additionally, ham-fisted people at rifle ranges do a lot of damage too.

[JTR]

I'm curious, the barrel looks a bit short, and only two ramrod pipes. Was it made that way, or is the middle ramrod pipe missing? Or the muzzle end RR pipe lopped off along with the barrel?
How long is the barrel now?

Sounds like it'll be a great shooter!

John

[Mule Brain]

I'm curious, the barrel looks a bit short, and only two ramrod pipes. Was it made that way, or is the middle ramrod pipe missing? Or the muzzle end RR pipe lopped off along with the barrel?
How long is the barrel now?

Sounds like it'll be a great shooter!

John

It is original, and don't forget this barrel is heavy. If is was any longer it would be getting tough to shoot it off hand. I am ordering new sights for it this week.     

[JTR]

Interesting. So how long is the barrel?
Doing the finger knuckle measuring on the computer screen, it looks like about 32 inches?
Thanks, John

[Mule Brain]

Interesting. So how long is the barrel?
Doing the finger knuckle measuring on the computer screen, it looks like about 32 inches?
Thanks, John

Barrel it 36"

[Scota4570]

NM