John Amos Bedford Longrifle sight Pictures added

[jdm]

Does anyone know the  type 0f rifle this sight might have been on originally .I'm trying to estimate how long this rifle was being used.  It's on a nice Pa. gun that went west.

[Levy]

I see sights like that on a lot of Pennsylvania and New York double rifles and combination guns (both side by side and over/under).  James Levy

[Tanselman]

Often these adjustable ramp sights are factory-produced and added to a rifle well after it was made. This one appears to be blacksmith/gunsmith made, i.e. slightly irregular in areas, which from my experience is rather rare and probably a little earlier than most such ramp sights when seen on an American muzzle loading rifle.

Shelby Gallien 

[jdm]

Thank you gentlemen . This rifle dates mid 1830's to early 40's  and was made by John Amos of Bedford., There have been a lot of repairs to keep this old girl working. The blacksmith  made, makes sense coupled with the other work done. This is a first for me . I have never seen this type of sight  on a Kentucky .I thank you for your help.  Jim

[JTR]

Well hey Jim, Let's see some more of it!

[Shreckmeister]

Never saw one combined with a buckhorn sight, but Winchester was doing that in the late 1800s.  Just hazarding a guess that this
would been when it was added.  Can we see that rest of that Bedford?

[jdm]

This rifle was made in Bedford county Pa. by gunsmith John Amos ( 1800-1867 ). The last year he was taxed as a gunsmith was 1844. It traveled from Pennsylvania  out to Colorado . It was bought from the ranch  where it spent much of it's working life. There are many repairs to keep it going. The forend must have been broken at some time and was cut off to a half stock a pewter nose cap was made for it . At sometime the lock spring broke and blew out the wood by the trigger. It was repaired with a piece of brass. The barrel key was lost so a piece of wood fixed that . The lock must of been a little loose so a bent over nail took care of that. The barrel is 31 inches so a new sight  was in order right over the top of John Amos's signature.
 In my mind this is the type of rifle that took part in the great western expansion. Here's some pictures , Thanks  Jim





J A on lock plate

[jdm]

pic upload

[onthehillbill]

Very nice rifle, thanks for showing it. 

[mr. no gold]

A classic Bedford! thank you Jim.
Dick

[Buck]

Cool piece Jim.

Buck

[KMac]

Very cool history, and rifle!

[Shreckmeister]

Classic is right.  That boy saw alot of service.  Clearly valued for many years.  That's one that could tell stories.

[Otto]

I have to agree with everyone else. That is in my mind a very iconic Bedford. Went across country clear to Colorado too. Bless those old timers who cobbled those repairs to keep it going for us to enjoy.

[JTR]

What a great find in this condition! Imagine the stories it could tell!
Thanks for posting the pics, John

[jdm]

Thank you , I'm glad others enjoy it also. I'm lucky the previous owner let me buy it. His comment was it's just the right size to fit in a wagon box under the seat. That gets your mind  swirling.  Jim

[Dietle]

Hi  jdm; I sent a PM to you.

[jdm]

I had a request for a picture of the eagle cheek piece. A previous owner found the need to personalize the eagle a little bit.  Jim

[bama]

JDM I have a rifle that is very similar to the rifle you have posted here, it may be by the same maker. I am going to post it in another thread so I will not interfere with your thread.

Great rifle and thanks for posting it.

Jim