Newbie seeking info Family Heirloom Leman

[HomerOla89]

Hi guys,

Joined a few weeks ago and been in awe all of the knowledge and talent accumulated on here. I inherited a couple of percussion rifles that came from my great great grandfather. First one is a halfstock .40 cal (?)The lock is stamped “LEMAN  LANCTR PA,” and the top of the barrel is “LEMAN LANCASTER, Pa. WARRANTED”.  I think it’s  got a little of the faux striping on the left side of  the tang. My guess is it was actually produced by Leman and not built from their parts? 1850s? Other than that I don’t know much. Seemed unusual there was no patch box. Any info would be greatly appreciated. I’ll make a second post with the other gun, it’s more of a mystery.

Sorry for lighting not being great in pics

Thanks fellas,

Jake Boyd to bc

[OLUT]

A nice family heirloom. I'm glad that it has stayed in the family.
There is LOTS of information available on line about Henry E Leman and his enterprise.  A good starting point is the attached article.
   There are many guns with Leman locks that were sold commercially and used by other gun builders.. However when a gun is found that also has one of Leman's stampings on the barrel, the gun was typically made in his shop. He made many different styles of flint and then later percussion guns. so the lack of a patchbox is no surprise

[EGG17601]

A nice family heirloom. I'm glad that it has stayed in the family.
There is LOTS of information available on line about Henry E Leman and his enterprise.  A good starting point is the attached article.
   There are many guns with Leman locks that were sold commercially and used by other gun builders.. However when a gun is found that also has one of Leman's stampings on the barrel, the gun was typically made in his shop. He made many different styles of flint and then later percussion guns. so the lack of a patchbox is no surprise

I believe there are also Leman rifles with Leman barrels but with locks by other makers - Leman would sometimes buy in parts to keep the rifles going out. As I type this, I am sitting about three miles south of where a part of the original Leman factory was located on the banks of the Conestoga, and I have a particular interest in his rifles (and own a couple), although I am far from expert.

https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=63921.0

[Longknife]

If you photograph the rifle on a darker background it will show details much better. Not BLACK but, grey , tan, etc.

[OLUT]

If you photograph the rifle on a darker background it will show details much better. Not BLACK but, grey , tan, etc.

Good advice on your photography so that we can get a better view of critical details to help in identification. Also, don't be afraid to edit your photos before posting; it makes a world of difference

[HomerOla89]

There is LOTS of information available on line about Henry E Leman and his enterprise.  A good starting point is the attached article.

Thanks for the tip OLUT! Based on my reading in that article, this being a halfstock probably dates it to the 1860s, not 1850s. Would make sense my gg grandfather would have been a teenager by  then and could likely afford a rifle but just a plain jane.

[HomerOla89]

If you photograph the rifle on a darker background it will show details much better. Not BLACK but, grey , tan, etc.

LOVE THIS ADVICE. Already took and learned. Made a knife handle out of firewood just to practice with aqua fortis and LM stain, and sent a pic to a friend. Re-took the photo on my kitchen countertop and WOW! The difference is incredible. I’ll try to find a similar background for my second heirloom rifle to send to you guys, though I don’t think it’ll fit on my kitchen countertop…