Author Topic: Question about open-ended nose caps on mountain rifles  (Read 788 times)

Offline stan57

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Question about open-ended nose caps on mountain rifles
« on: September 16, 2024, 10:16:42 PM »
Did they somehow treat or seal the end grain of the stock with an open-ended nose cap, such as the one on the Keller rifle shown here: https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=64860.msg650629#msg650629



Or, was it just ignored and allowed to impregnate itself with fowling?

Offline Daniel Coats

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Re: Question about open-ended nose caps on mountain rifles
« Reply #1 on: September 16, 2024, 11:18:45 PM »
That one looks like it's lead filled same as my original east Tennessee.




Dan

"Ain't no nipples on a man's rifle"

Offline stan57

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Re: Question about open-ended nose caps on mountain rifles
« Reply #2 on: September 16, 2024, 11:28:50 PM »
You're right, it looks like oxidized or patinated lead.

Would this be appropriate on a Kibler SMR?

Offline Daniel Coats

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Dan

"Ain't no nipples on a man's rifle"

Offline stan57

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Re: Question about open-ended nose caps on mountain rifles
« Reply #4 on: September 17, 2024, 12:18:03 AM »
Dan, Very cool rifle. Thanks.

Offline Daniel Coats

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Re: Question about open-ended nose caps on mountain rifles
« Reply #5 on: September 17, 2024, 12:40:26 AM »
Here's a link to a nice contemporary rifle built by a friend of mine. It has this same type of cap with great pictures.

https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=70585.msg711544;topicseen#msg711544
Dan

"Ain't no nipples on a man's rifle"

Offline stan57

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Re: Question about open-ended nose caps on mountain rifles
« Reply #6 on: September 17, 2024, 12:53:09 AM »
Very slick rifle. I'm mucho covetous.

Offline scottmc

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Re: Question about open-ended nose caps on mountain rifles
« Reply #7 on: September 17, 2024, 12:55:33 AM »
I have one that is just wood and doesn't appear to have been treated with anything more than a touch of oil or just oil from the patches when started.  This rifle caused a little stir with the boys at Knoxville I hear.  I sent it south with a friend of mine to see what they thought and it's stamped WD but they couldn't come to agreement on if it was or wasn't a WD.



Remember Paoli!

Offline stan57

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Re: Question about open-ended nose caps on mountain rifles
« Reply #8 on: September 17, 2024, 02:19:45 AM »
Thanks scottmc. Good data point - I wondered how bare wood would stand up at the muzzle.

Offline Daryl

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Re: Question about open-ended nose caps on mountain rifles
« Reply #9 on: September 17, 2024, 02:29:22 AM »
If not WD, what pray tell did they think it was?
Daryl

"a gun without hammers is like a spaniel without ears" King George V

Offline scottmc

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Re: Question about open-ended nose caps on mountain rifles
« Reply #10 on: September 17, 2024, 02:49:19 AM »
If not WD, what pray tell did they think it was?

Stan,I personally think it would do OK since the oils from the patch would get to that area but if it was me building one that way, I would gently feed the end some thinned oil or whatever you might use for finish, just for some added protection.  It would be hard to do with a q-tip.
Remember Paoli!

Offline scottmc

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Re: Question about open-ended nose caps on mountain rifles
« Reply #11 on: September 17, 2024, 02:53:13 AM »
If not WD, what pray tell did they think it was?

Daryl, some thought it may have been a periodic restock of a wd barrel but someone really good.  The trigger gaurd and toe plate wasn't indicative of a typical william Douglas but my thought is it was an earlier gun of his.  The tang and treatment of the tailpipe area is almost identical to a couple that I've seen.
Remember Paoli!

Offline WadePatton

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Re: Question about open-ended nose caps on mountain rifles
« Reply #12 on: September 17, 2024, 02:53:52 AM »
If not WD, what pray tell did they think it was?

Looks like "VV" and "D" stamping to me. The symmetry of the "W" had me thinking it was cut, until I zoomerd in on it.  Overlapping "V's" to make a "W" with full intent to make a "W" is my guess.

Dubya Dee ;D
 
Hold to the Wind

Offline scottmc

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Re: Question about open-ended nose caps on mountain rifles
« Reply #13 on: September 17, 2024, 02:55:38 AM »
I butchered a couple those sentences but I think you know what I mean😁
Remember Paoli!

Offline scottmc

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Re: Question about open-ended nose caps on mountain rifles
« Reply #14 on: September 17, 2024, 03:00:27 AM »
If not WD, what pray tell did they think it was?

Looks like "VV" and "D" stamping to me. The symmetry of the "W" had me thinking it was cut, until I zoomerd in on it.  Overlapping "V's" to make a "W" with full intent to make a "W" is my guess.

Dubya Dee ;D
Wade, good observation!  I never picked up on that but you may be right.  Each "V" is uniform and symmetrical.
Remember Paoli!

Offline Waksupi

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Re: Question about open-ended nose caps on mountain rifles
« Reply #15 on: September 17, 2024, 10:22:02 PM »
I don't recall ever seeing a nose cap on a trade gun. Never noticed any particular damage either.
Ric Carter
Somers, Montana