Rifle id help.

[lexington1]

I just bought this but have not rec'd it yet. These are the pics from the auction. I am kind of a sucker for horse head patchboxes, and this was really cheap. Any idea who might have made this? It appears that the trigger guard was thinned from an earlier gun. Maybe the rest of it has been repurposed? I'll find out when I get it. I thought maybe the lock and sideplate panels and possibly the cheek piece might jump out as a possible marker for a particular maker? I don't recall seeing moldings carved like this before. Any ideas?

[Tanselman]

We need to see a bit more of the gun before we can get a real feel for it. One detail that hurts any analysis of a longrifle is the apparent loss of its original guard. Two sets of pin holes can be seen, indicating an earlier guard was on the gun at one time with different positions of front/rear mounting tabs.

I like the horse head, which is better shaped than some I've seen. The side facings with their slanted front ends should help. I do not see the "moldings" you mentioned, and can't see any molding lines on this gun. The shape and length of the tang, when available, should also help a bit. If I was making a WAG right now, I'd lean toward the Carolinas.

Shelby Gallien

[lexington1]

Thanks  Shelby. This gives me a good clue. By moldings I mean the wood shaping around the lock and sideplate area.

[JTR]

I've seen similar side facing/moldings before, but darned if I can remember where! But that style is not unknown.
John

[Shreckmeister]

Take a look at John Sherry Jr’s work

[Tanselman]

The John Jr. rifles I've seen have low combs like this one has, but much more exaggerated butt plates with extended heels and later, deeper curvature.

Shelby Gallien

[Shreckmeister]

The horse head finial and forward lock mortise shape are common to him as well