Sad end of a fine longrifle

[lexington1]

This was my big purchase at the Vegas show in January. I felt sorry for it, so it came home with me. It was once a very fine rifle. I feel like I am providing hospice care for it.

[Shreckmeister]

Have you figured out the maker?  Nice relic

[Avlrc]

It still has its soul. Wonderful.

[Fullstock longrifle]

Looks like it’s what’s left of a John Bonewitz, glad you saved it Wes.

[Gaeckle]

That's a fantastic study piece, good save

[homerifle]

Nice, that needed a good home!

[Bigmon]

As with most old guns "if it could just talk".

[Eric Kettenburg]

That's a great piece - good find.

Just to be my usual self, I will say there are a number of complete 'antiques' that started out with not much more.

[T.C.Albert]

Nice one Eric. Spot on I’m afraid too. I love those patch box butt stock only  relic pieces. They are usually loaded with character and dying to tell us a story.
Tim A.

[Avlrc]

That's a great piece - good find.

Just to be my usual self, I will say there are a number of complete 'antiques' that started out with not much more.

Like the rib bone from Adam 

[jdm]

It has potential for best of show.  What a life that must of had.Congratulations on a great find.  There's still some luck left in Vegas.   Did it come with a barrel ?  Jim

[JTR]

What a cool find!
Looks like a Bonewitz to me as well.
Also looks like the front half was wired to the back half at some point as well. Maybe you'll find the front half next year!
John

[JV Puleo]

You could always "restore" it....I'm reminded of something a long time member of the KRA once said about their rifle of the year..."The last time I saw it it was a broken butt stock..."

[lexington1]

I wonder if it's still shootable?    I pretty well figured that it was a Bonewitz, although Reedy and Figthorn still muddy the waters a bit for me.

[J. Talbert]

Pretty darn neat.
I’d sooner have that than a number of lesser “whole” surviving guns.

Jeff

[Mike payne]

Still beautiful to look at and wonder what stories it could tell. I would have grabbed it!

[JTR]

You could always "restore" it....I'm reminded of something a long time member of the KRA once said about their rifle of the year..."The last time I saw it it was a broken butt stock..."

Wow, really? Can you post up a picture of that one?
John

[Fullstock longrifle]

You could always "restore" it....I'm reminded of something a long time member of the KRA once said about their rifle of the year..."The last time I saw it it was a broken butt stock..."

Wow, really? Can you post up a picture of that one?
John

Yes, I’d like to see that as well.

[Eric Kettenburg]

First rule of broken buttstock club:  don't point out specific broken buttstocks.

[Dave B]

Well done man! I had the luck of being at my first CLA show and was there with Hersal while he was flipping through the RCA OR KRGA Pointing out rifles he had worked on. One he pointed to was an early piece and said that was just a butt stock and he had an oginial barrel that was a close fit as well as a lock. I would not have guesed that was the case. A piece of history saved

[Fullstock longrifle]

First rule of broken buttstock club:  don't point out specific broken buttstocks.

Very true, but about 50% of the time rumors get spread around about a rifle that might not be so. I like to verify.

[debnal]

Good thought Frank. Too many "experts", and too many restored buttstocks. Need to verify.
Al

[lexington1]

This one was actually a very fine rifle but I aged it up 

[Avlrc]

This one was actually a very fine rifle but I aged it up 

Good one

[Avlrc]

Good thought Frank. Too many "experts", and too many restored buttstocks. Need to verify.
Al

"Trust but Verify" (RR)