Author Topic: ID Rifle  (Read 1400 times)

vintagedan

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ID Rifle
« on: October 20, 2021, 05:32:48 PM »
My great aunt and uncle bought and sold antiques. This was in the house when they passed away in early 1990s. I cannot see any identifying markings. I assume they purchased the rifle in the 1950s or 1960s. I would appreciate any help in identifying the rifle.  Thank You.

« Last Edit: October 21, 2021, 09:59:15 PM by vintagedan »

Offline JPK

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Re: ID Rifle
« Reply #1 on: October 20, 2021, 05:42:39 PM »
I think you have a shotgun.
A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.

Offline rich pierce

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Re: ID Rifle
« Reply #2 on: October 20, 2021, 06:51:32 PM »
Likely Belgian shotgun made from 1850-1870 for export.
Andover, Vermont

Offline heinz

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Re: ID Rifle
« Reply #3 on: October 20, 2021, 08:40:19 PM »
Hard to tell from those photos.  It appears to have a single barrel ?

It also appears to have a high quality walnut stock.  Does the bore at the muzzle look smooth or is it rifled.
kind regards, heinz

Offline Tanselman

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Re: ID Rifle
« Reply #4 on: October 20, 2021, 11:32:00 PM »
Looks like an octagon-to-round barrel smooth bore or fowler, and most likely either an import piece, or a New England piece. The photos give us an idea of what it is, but a few more photos with better lighting would show more details and really help in determining more accurately what you have.  Shelby Gallien

vintagedan

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Re: ID Rifle
« Reply #5 on: October 21, 2021, 11:40:02 PM »
Here are pictures with better light.  Thank you.




















Offline rich pierce

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Re: ID Rifle
« Reply #6 on: October 22, 2021, 01:27:19 AM »
Standard inexpensive imported shotgun 1850-1870.
Andover, Vermont

vintagedan

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Re: ID Rifle
« Reply #7 on: October 22, 2021, 04:57:19 PM »
Thank you.  Were these primarily imported because of the US Civil War?

Offline Hudnut

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Re: ID Rifle
« Reply #8 on: October 22, 2021, 05:23:50 PM »
No, these were imported in large numbers because there was a market for moderately priced hunting guns, both single and double barrel.
Quality ranged from rudimentary to fine.  Birmingham and Liege were the primary sources.  Both had large industries supplying the market.
Annual production was substantial.

vintagedan

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Re: ID Rifle
« Reply #9 on: October 22, 2021, 06:47:58 PM »
Thanks to all and Hudnut.  Is there a link to information on how this gun worked and loaded. I assume it is a muzzle loader and used black powder which was ignited by flintlock to propel some kind of shot.

Offline Daryl

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Re: ID Rifle
« Reply #10 on: October 22, 2021, 07:16:55 PM »
The gun is and always was a cap lock, by the looks of it, and having a hooked breech.
So- powder first, then wad or wads, then shot, then a to wad, place a percussion cap the nipple and fire.
Alternatively, powder, then cloth/patched round ball, capped and fired.
I would suggest that guns needs to be cleaned up and checked very carefully, as well as likely needing a new nipple
before it could be fired.
Daryl

"a gun without hammers is like a spaniel without ears" King George V

vintagedan

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Re: ID Rifle
« Reply #11 on: October 22, 2021, 07:51:21 PM »
Thank you Daryl

vintagedan

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Re: ID Rifle
« Reply #12 on: October 22, 2021, 08:09:09 PM »
I found marks on barrel.


vintagedan

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Re: ID Rifle
« Reply #13 on: October 22, 2021, 09:01:32 PM »
Looks like marks are Old Bermingham.