I'd like help in identifying this old rifle if possible

[Lovin336guy]

This gun has been in the family for generations. Unfortunately, the maker did not sign his work. I know it's a caplock, possibly made around 1840, of perhaps 36-40 caliber. It could be a eastern hunting rifle or perhaps a target gun. It has set triggers, a half stock and a very heavy hexagonal barrel of approximately 31". The wood furniture appears to be tiger maple. I have not cleaned it up on the suggestion of the gunsmith who got the action to work and took it apart and cleaned it. He also restored it to a fireable condition and fired a test ball. That's about what I know. If someone recognizes the style and has some idea who made it that would be great. There may be some script writing on the top of the barrel but my eyes aren't what they used to be. I'm curious if anyone else sees this. I've included images.

[Tanselman]

Your rifle appears to be a late 1840s to 1850s half-stocked rifle. Guns from this period, when lacking decoration, become rather similar looking and if unsigned, difficult to locate. It would help up if you would post two standard half-shot pictures, 1) full butt to about 6" past lock plate, and 2) same view of back side. The long cheekpiece on the butt is one of the few clues that might help us, but the picture cuts off its front end so we can't see its full profile. Similarly, it almost appears to have a slight curve or "fish belly" in the butt's bottom line, but again without seeing the full half-shot, we can't tell for sure. So if you can post those two additional views, we may be able to help you more.

I do notice it has a thicker than normal toe plate, and a longer than normal cheekpiece, and without seeing more of the gun, those details can, at times, suggest a New York rifle. Sometimes the hardware store markings on the lock plate help determine which part of the country the gun may have come from as well.

Shelby Gallien

[Lovin336guy]

I will as soon as I can. Sometimes google is slow at making pictures taken with my cell phone available. If you know any tricks with getting google to hurry up I'd appreciate it.

[Tanselman]

This site has a VERY EASY way to post photos, but I cannot find where instructions are posted on this web site. In a nut shell, when you "modify" your old posting with the new pictures, at the bottom there will be a "add image to post" note below the box you type in. When done typing, just click on the "Add images to post" and a transfer box comes up, then click on your drive that has your photos [camera card if hooked to your computer, or transfer off camera to computer file fist], and drag your photo, or photo file, over to the transfer box and turn it loose, and bingo, it's ready to upload to this site. Or transfer a couple of images over, then "upload." if you take a look at it, it's pretty easy to figure out, and if it doesn't work the first time, back out of it, and try again. Maybe Dennis, our site master, will see this post and tell us where to find the image posting instructions again, for those who are new to the site (and me).

Shelby Gallien

[Lovin336guy]

Images added, of course one of them is upside down. Don't know why, it's correct on my computer.

[Daryl]

I will as soon as I can. Sometimes google is slow at making pictures taken with my cell phone available. If you know any tricks with getting google to hurry up I'd appreciate it.

Small correction on your description, the barrel is a straight octagonal barrel, not hexagonal. 8 sides not 6.
I don't know much about these, but dates 1840 to 1860 looks to me. Interesting that there is no under rib
and the single pin holding the barrel to the forend, appears to run through the meat of the barrel, not a lug.

[Tanselman]

Daryl,

Can you read the name on the percussion lock plate? If so, it might help us put the gun in a regional area. The long cheekpiece is an odd feature, unless from farther back east. The slight "fish belly" in the toe line is often seen in Midwest guns from Ohio and Indiana, and sporadically in other areas including New York. Tough one to figure out.

Shelby Gallien

[Ky-Flinter]

....... Maybe Dennis, our site master, will see this post and tell us where to find the image posting instructions again, for those who are new to the site (and me).

Shelby Gallien

I'm not Dennis, but I am one of his helpers.  Here's a link to the image posting instructions:  https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=43547.0

-Ron

[Daryl]

Daryl,

Can you read the name on the percussion lock plate? If so, it might help us put the gun in a regional area. The long cheekpiece is an odd feature, unless from farther back east. The slight "fish belly" in the toe line is often seen in Midwest guns from Ohio and Indiana, and sporadically in other areas including New York. Tough one to figure out.

Shelby Gallien

Atkinson
Warranted

[Bob Roller]

A very common style or American hunting rifle and maybe Canadian as well.I made a similar one,left hand in walnut with silver butt plate and guard,single trigger for Bob Bartee who was my barber.I'd like to know who has it now.Another friend had one very much like this with Leman on the lock but nothing elsewhere.
Bob Roller