Iron mounted Southern rifle with illegible signature

[Chris_B]

I recently won this one at Morphy’s.
Length 61,2“, barrel length 45/1/2“, cal.62
The crude patchbox contains the fragment of
a 1940 sales bill, the rifle sold for $50 then,
was a little more today 
The barrel is signed in script, might read T B…id. FanC, or
something complete different….?
The underside of the stock behind the wrist is
stamped IPEE, the E‘s look more like reversed 33‘s.
On the ckeekpiece side behind the wrist are the scratched
letters ANH, makes me think of some military use.(?)
The lock was signed, obviously in script, too.
Almost nothing left, the first letters might be In

Any ideas about the who, where and when will be
highly appreciated!

[mountainman70]

Greetings Chris. Do you rekkin this could have been new back when sold for 50 dollars?
It sorta looks that vintage to me.
Most likely I am wrong, but that would be the first time today. Lol
Nice rifle anyways.
Best regards Dave 

[Chris_B]

Well, I don’t know Dave….
The fact that the signature is that worn , on
the lock, , too, seems to indicate these parts are
pretty old.
The stock, on the other hand, might not.
Just the feeling when holding the rifle in
my hands tells me it is a lot older than 1940,
but I might be wrong, anyhow.

[Rajin cajun]

Virginia,  maker probably Grandstaff..!

Bob

[Daryl]

To me, it looks like an "L" then last name starts with a "B"

Cool picture of the muzzle crown, looks to be filed out to ease loading with tighter? combinations.

[Chris_B]

To me, it looks like an "L" then last name starts with a "B"

Guess you are right!
L first came to my mind, too, then I decided it might be a T.
That probably excludes the Grandstaff theory.
Too bad, I would love
to own one of his rifles…,

[Tanselman]

I don't know how any theory or suggestion can be excluded at this point, since we are making "best guesses" at what the letters are, and no one can really tell for sure.  Shelby Gallien

[Eric Kettenburg]

I really like that rifle!  I do not think it was stocked in 1940, I also think it may be older especially given the level of iron staining in the wood around various areas of ironware.  That comes with a lot of time and a lot of exposure.  I'm sure it's been refinished or finish-added since 1940, though, but most of them have anyway.  Lock looks newer, although possibly it's just the photo.  Any sign it was percussion at one time?  Very cool piece!

[Eric Kettenburg]

It's tough to tell if that "B" is really a B, or just a stylized portion of a different letter.  I can pretty easily see "Grandstaff" interpreted out of what's left of the marks, but maybe that's because I already read it above  . Might help so see the signature in different shots, i.e. some raking angles, different lightings etc.

[Chris_B]

I will try to take pictures of the signature
from different angles later.
Unfortunately it’s a rainy day with no good
outside light so I will try it indoors.

I can see no pitting on the barrel or something else
that says „percussion „.
I agree the lock somehow looks newer, but there
still is the almost worn away rudiment of a
signature on it…

[Chris_B]

Tried some






kostenlose upload plattform

[Chris_B]

I think now I see a Bride… in it?

[jdm]

Bradford ? Brinford ?

[Eric Kettenburg]

Now I see all those options!  Aaack!

Maybe it's a variation of Breidenherd/Breitenherd and it's an older barrel.

[Cades Cove Fiddler]

  ... Well ... at least we can safely say it's not a BEAN,... !!! ... I remember seeing this in the auction listing,.. was amazed at the unusual side-plate,... that and the long pointed toe-plate might be better markers as to builder than the obscure barrel marking,... maybe not, however,... ... nice old hog-rifle,... regards ... Cades Cove Fiddler....

[bama]

Since we are guessing I might as well Join in. The first letter looks like a J to me, then possibly Bairford. It's a nice rifle. on the different side of what we normally see. I like it.

[RAT]

To my eyes... I see 2 names... first and last.

[ed lundquist]

You could try making a rubbing of the signature using a lightweight paper and the side of a pencil, might work.

[Chris_B]

Goog idea! I will try the detective thing and see what comes of it.

[Metalshaper]

You could try making a rubbing of the signature using a lightweight paper and the side of a pencil, might work.

Sometimes using aluminum foil, in place of the paper..yeilds a pretty good impression/rubbing

Respect Always
Metalshaper/Jonathan

[Notchy Bob]

The rifle is a beauty, regardless of who made it.  Eric Kettenburg's comments about discoloration of the wood where in contact with the iron support the idea that the stock is quite old.

Thanks to the OP for showing this rifle!

Notchy Bob

[Chris_B]

The rifle is a beauty, regardless of who made it. 

Thanks, I think so, too.

Eric Kettenburg's comments about discoloration of the wood where in contact with the iron support the idea that the stock is quite old.

And here is something that I learned!

Thanks to the OP for showing this rifle!

Notchy Bob

[AZshot]

I agree it's a nice looking enigma.  Hope you can figure it out.

[Chris_B]

I tried the pencil thing several times with no effort.
Guess the maker will  remain a mystery …

[Eric Kettenburg]

This will forever haunt me.