Author Topic: Identification of Long Rifle  (Read 1014 times)

Offline Joepett

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Identification of Long Rifle
« on: September 05, 2024, 08:25:48 PM »
Hi, I would appreciate help in identifying a long rifle I own. After some initial research,  I believe it may have been made by John Henry, or in his style.  The rifle has a large brass patchbox, fancy in form but with no engraving.  There is a thin brass plate nailed at the bottom of the stock just in front of the trigger guard.  It is not for repair purposes.  Believe it might be to guard the stock from abuse when the rifle was shot from a stand. There are no decorations on the rifle, although it seems particularly well proportioned. The lock is from a George III tower rifle, but I'm pretty sure it's a reconversion. The rifle is 40 caliber. Photos attached (I think).Any ideas as to the maker would be welcome.








Offline JV Puleo

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Re: Identification of Long Rifle
« Reply #1 on: September 05, 2024, 08:30:30 PM »
The plate under the forend was probably to mask where the long drill used for the ramrod hole came through the wood. A deep hole like that was difficult hole to drill and the maker wouldn't want to have scrapped the stock as a result. It was actually quite common.

Offline Tanselman

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Re: Identification of Long Rifle
« Reply #2 on: September 05, 2024, 10:44:45 PM »
You have a very nice, clean looking rifle. It would help to identify it if we could get a couple more pictures showing details on the gun more clearly, including:
1. clear image of complete patchbox [finial is partially hidden by bracket]
2. image of tang at back of barrel
3. close-up image of brass side plate on back side of gun opposite lock.
4. image of rear ramrod pipe.
5. close-up image of cheekpiece.

It will probably end up being a PA gun, but I've seen a rather similar patchbox on a SC rifle, so you never know for sure until you check out all the smaller details.

Shelby Gallien

Offline Joepett

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Re: Identification of Long Rifle
« Reply #3 on: September 05, 2024, 11:29:42 PM »
Thanks very much for your response.  Attached are the photos you requested.










Offline Tanselman

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Re: Identification of Long Rifle
« Reply #4 on: September 06, 2024, 12:48:26 AM »
Any chance you could re-take the image of the tang and show us the complete tang? The current image clipped off a bit just behind the barrel... so hard to tell its length, or if possibly a second higher screw is in it.

Thanks,

Shelby Gallien

Offline Joepett

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Re: Identification of Long Rifle
« Reply #5 on: September 06, 2024, 01:25:39 AM »
Sure. Attached is the photo.


uploading pictures online

Offline tallbear

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Re: Identification of Long Rifle
« Reply #6 on: September 06, 2024, 02:24:25 AM »
FWIW a similar box is on a William Britton attributed WV rifle.

Mitch Yates




Offline Joepett

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Re: Identification of Long Rifle
« Reply #7 on: September 06, 2024, 07:42:38 AM »
Thanks for the photo.

Offline Avlrc

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Re: Identification of Long Rifle
« Reply #8 on: September 06, 2024, 06:13:51 PM »