R. Byers .50 Cal Plains Rifle

[Pro Libertate]

I recently purchased this .50 cal plains rifle from a member over on the Muzzleloading Forum. Not too shabby for $750! I was really taken with the figuring of the stock.

The only markings are “R. Byers” in script on top of the barrel. I’m curious as to whether another Byers’ rifle exists out there. Anybody?

[Seth Isaacson]

I believe there is a Rob Byers in the northeast somewhere that I've seen another gun by before, but I can't recall any further details. Maybe this guy? https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-byers-58837922

[Pro Libertate]

Thank you, Seth. I’ll reach out to the guy!

I also saw an obituary for an R. Byers who was a member of various muzzleloading clubs. I’m hoping my guy’s still around.

[Daryl]

Quite the curl/flame in that stock.

[Pro Libertate]

Yes! It’s a pretty little thing.

[BOB HILL]

I think Clinton Byers’ ,of Horn and Fiber, father’s name was Robert. I never met the gentleman. Clinton did some restoration on one of his rifles a while back. He is no longer with us. You can check with Clinton. He may be able to fill you in on his work if this was his father. Hope this is some help.
Bob

[Pro Libertate]

Thanks for the lead, Bob! I sure appreciate it.

[wormey]

Clint of Horn and Fibre...his father was Roger Byers.  He made a lot of rifles and fowlers.  Could be one of his, but I don`t think so on this one.  Great builder and a wonderful human being who is sadly no longer with us.  Rest in peace, Roger.  Wormey  :'(

[BOB HILL]

Thanks , Wormy. I just remembered  Clinton’s father’s name started with an R. Never met him ,but heard he was an outstanding builder.
Bob

[Pro Libertate]

[Burg]

You have a fine rifle there that was built by my friend Roger Byers of Rutherford County, North Carolina.  Roger was a talented carpenter who also built muzzleloading rifles.  He was an honorable christian man with an outstanding reputation for fine work.  One of the things I always found interesting about his shop is that he did not own a band saw but cut out his stock blanks and rough shaped them with a hand saw.  He also had a fine collection of antique hand saws.  One thing I noticed in your photographs is that apparently the set trigger adjustment screw is missing.  This can be easily corrected with a new machine screw.  Thanks for the inquiry and photographs, I do miss Roger.

[Pro Libertate]

Thanks for chiming in there, Burg! Of the percussion guns I own, this one is by far my favorite, and it gets compliments everywhere I go.

I was curious about the lack of a set screw also, but I was wondering if it isn’t by design? I’m somewhat ignorant of the mechanics behind dual trigger set-ups, but this one appears to be a single phase (you have to press the rear trigger before the front will even function). Wouldn’t the set screw only serve a purpose if it was a double phase, or am I wrong in my understanding of things here?

[Burg]

The set screw functions only to adjust the front trigger pull weight.  The best way to  set the trigger pull weight is to back the screw out a few turns then pull the rear trigger until the front trigger sets.  Next turn the screw in (clockwise) until the front trigger releases then back the screw out about 1/2 turn and test the set triggers to see if the pull weight suits you...if it is too light you keep turning the screw out (counter clockwise) until the pull weight does suit you.  Set triggers can be adjusted to release at a few ounces of pressure on the front trigger.  They will spoil you.  If you have to set the rear trigger to fire the rifle this means that your rifle functions only when set.  The other version of set triggers will fire the rifle when the front trigger is pulled without setting the rear and they can also be fired by pulling the rear trigger to set the front trigger giving you the "hair" front trigger which requires a light touch to fire.     

[Pro Libertate]

Thanks for the explanation on set trigger adjustment, Burg— that’s most helpful! I’ve owned a couple rifles with double phase/double triggers in the past, so I’ve had a little exposure to that kind of set-up. The trigger on the Byers rifle is quite light and crisp as it is, but I’ll see if I can’t pick up on a screw and futz around with it a bit. Thanks again!