G. Morgan lansing mich?

[Greywuuf]

I Recently picked up a roughish half stock heavy plains looking rifle, only it is a 40 caliber.   It is marked G. Morgan lansing mich 1870. The lovk is marked Josh Golcher but it is not in the ribbon or shield so I am assuming a Belgium copy. I have done some searching but can't come up with anything on this maker and am wondering if anyone has any info

[OLUT]

George Morgan made solidly built hunting guns in Lansing, Michigan. According to "Michigan Gunsmiths" he was born in Vermont  about 1827, and later was a blacksmith in Galena, Ohio . He started as a gunsmith in 1863 . He moved to Lansing in 1867  . He died there in 1893. In addition to your type of half stock rifles, he made many percussion over under combination guns. He typically dated his guns and many have a serial number.

[OLUT]

George Morgan's grave marker has slightly different dates and is probably more accurate

[Greywuuf]

Thank you for this information. So it is very likely an authentic piece. It has been through a lot and it leaves me wondering what i should do with it. Is it of significant enough value that I should not undertake repairs? There is some stock cracking and damage.

[Bob Roller]

American Schuetzen mit Ruckliegend Schloss ,Deutshe stecher und Hakenschaftkappe.Nussbaum halbschaft?Rund kugel oder lang kugel?
Anerican schuetzen with back action lock,set triggers and hooked butt plate,Walnut half stock,Round ball or bullet.Has it been checked for a long forgotten load? I have seen old guns with long forgotten loads and some were not back powder,Gunsmith George Killen found what was obviously powder from a modern shotgun cartridge and we touched it with Bernzomatic torch and it flared up instead of a fast flash that black powder would give.The book by Hamilton&Rowe titled "The American Percussion  Schuetzen" has no listing on this maker.I have made a number of locks for the German shop of Helmut Mohr using the L&R plate and my version of the "3 pin"mechanism copied from an English lock.
Bob Roller

[Greywuuf]

Mr. ROLLER, Thank you for weighing in on this piece. Yes it has been checked it was empty but gross. I have scrubbed it but it is pitted and ugly. I have fired it ( not at a target but tied down and tested ) seems fine and gives me somewhere to start. Is this piece in your opinion a plain low end target weapon would it be considered a schuetzen  or is it just a small caliber in the style of a plains rifle?    Is it significant in historic terms to preserve as is of can I undertake some crack repairs and sight replacement and make it a shooter?   The sights are cobbled at some point in its life and basicly un usable.