Stunning 45 caliber Bedford Style percussion rifle

[Fyrstyk]

43-1/2" browned barrel, 13/16" ATF, 14" LOP.  Beautiful maple stock with lots of grain.  Carvings and brass inlays along with brass furniture. Patch box is fixed.(does not open).  Russ Ham Bedford Style lock.  $2,000 plus Shipping & insurance.  USPS Money Order Only.  Rifle will be shipped in a wooden box.

[whetrock]

When you say "Patch box is fixed.(does not open)," are you meaning that it is stuck, or that it is just decorative and there is no way to open it? It has a hinge and door panel, so it looks like it was designed to be opened, so maybe it just needs a repair?

[Fyrstyk]

If you look closely at the picture of the patch box you will note several brass pins on the side opposite of the hinge.  These pins are keeping the patch box from opening.  I believe the patch box is decorative only and not functional as there is no release button to open the box.

[whetrock]

I see what you are describing, and I agree that that's a possibility. But I suspect that the latch is just stuck. It would be odd for a guy to spend so much time building such a beautiful rifle, including hinges and door panel, and then rivet the door shut. Hidden latch buttons can get stuck just like regular simple latch buttons, and that makes it all the more difficult to figure out the situation when something isn't working.

I realize that you are selling it, so leaving things as they are may be the best plan?    If it has a latch but the latch is stuck, then pulling the butt plate off might expose the latch. Pulling the toe plate or the box would be the next options in a search if one needed to continue.

I don't need any more rifles, but I like this one a lot. I hope you get a good sale.

Whetrock

 

[Flintlock Fellow]

Is this a crack through the side plate?

[Robby]

I'm with whetrock and believe the patchbox is fully functional. One photo appears to show something slightly proud of the toe plate surface, I'd remove that first. I almost feel like buying it just to solve the mystery, I enjoy things like that.
Robby

[Fyrstyk]

Is this a crack through the side plate?

Yes, I believe it is a minor crack.  The entire lock mortise has been professionally sealed with epoxy to prevent the spread of the crack.  It has never expanded in the 6 years I have owned the gun.

[Dale Halterman]

I think Robby may be onto something. Can you post a picture of the toe plate? I understand that some original builders were quite clever in hiding the patch box releases.

Dale H

[Fyrstyk]

Here is a picture of the toe plate.    I have no intention of removing the toe plate or the butt plate to verify the status of the patch box.  I have severe arthritis in my hands that doe not allow me to grip items like a screw driver.  That is why I am selling this gun.

[whetrock]

Like you guys, I wouldn't be surprised if a hidden latch button is configured in the toe plate, perhaps as one of the screw heads. But the spring and access to the hook on the door panel will almost certainly be under the butt plate.