Would love to learn more about this item

[91er]

Hi all, first time post for me. A week ago I could barely spell muzzleloader. I'm a firearms guy, just not this kind. This item was owned by a family friend who recently passed away. It sat in the back of a closet and I have volunteered to figure out what it is.

Last night I sent some pictures to a guy and a very helpful gentleman got me started in the right direction. He said it is converted from flintlock and looks like some kind of French Fusil de Chasse. I can tell you that the overall length is 53", the barrel length is 37 5/8, and bore ID at the muzzle measures about .705". I don't see any markings on it at all.

Here is what I am asking for specifically:
1. Specifics for what model this is and anything else you could tell me about it.
2. Year of production? If my research is right it is pre-1746 because of the wooden ramrod.
3. Approximate value and what to do with it. His daughter doesn't want to keep it.

Thank you in advance. I think this thing is fascinating!

[rich pierce]

I’m not expert in European arms, but it has a number of features that are not typical of French arms. I might guess a Scandinavian origin. The rear sight at the breech, the patchbox, the shape of the side plate, and the cheekpiece are all outside common French features. The “banana” shape if the round faced lock suggests 1720-1740 to me. It’s an oddball and has dimff ed issues that need stabilizing. I’d ballpark it at $600-$1000 on a good day. I’m very interested to hear from those more knowledgeable.

Can you make out the name on the lock plate?

[91er]

Can you make out the name on the lock plate?

Thank you and no, I cannot. To me it doesn't look like there is one. Just scratches.

[rich pierce]

Can you make out the name on the lock plate?

Thank you and no, I cannot. To me it doesn't look like there is one. Just scratches.

Yep, looks like a hallmark.

[JV Puleo]

It's not French and from that rear sight, and the wooden patch box cover, I'd guess is or was rifled. That would make it a plain German or possibly Scandinavian rifle. In America a German origin is far more likely.

[91er]

It's not French and from that rear sight, and the wooden patch box cover, I'd guess is or was rifled. That would make it a plain German or possibly Scandinavian rifle. In America a German origin is far more likely.

It actually has two rear sights! One "V" just behind the breech and another on the barrel 5" forward of it.

[Tanselman]

It "almost" looks like a square punch mark just below the pan on the its left side, perhaps with an "I" or maybe a "T" in the small square. The stock wood looks like faded curly maple to me... wouldn't that tend to support a German origin?

Shelby Gallien

[91er]

Admittedly I don't know $#*& about $#*&, but in researching a lot of these lately I find the rear of the trigger guard unique. It splits into two pieces, one fore and one aft. Fowler by A Wright & Co. did this but who else?

[91er]

It "almost" looks like a square punch mark just below the pan on the its left side, perhaps with an "I" or maybe a "T" in the small square. The stock wood looks like faded curly maple to me... wouldn't that tend to support a German origin?

Shelby Gallien

Great call. I cleaned that area up and got the best picture I could. It looks to me like 5A or SA

[91er]

Maybe BA?

[rich pierce]

It could be stocked in maple. I think I see some curl. Maybe it’s a gun stocked up here in the mid 1700s using a combination of parts from old guns?

[rich pierce]

Could we see the top of the buttplate?

[91er]

Could we see the top of the buttplate?

Sure thing. Thank you!

[rich pierce]

From another group: Its a locally made swedish fowler, early 19th c with older parts, lockplate from a swedish m/1762 musket. The stock is made of birch.

[91er]

I cleaned up that stamp better and it really looks like “SA” to me with a little tail on the backside of the “A”. Another thing about that barrel is that though it is octagonal, there’s a section in the middle between those two bands that goes almost 16-sided or so, but it’s doesn’t continue all the way around the barrel.

[91er]

Better Pic

[rich pierce]

Great job cleaning that up. Parts gun or restock from a Swedish military gun is the consensus when I asked another group.

[Pukka Bundook]

Interesting that SA is also the Finnish Military ownership stamp..

[91er]

Thank you, that is the first time that has been mentioned. I’ll look into it.