Could this be a Vincent Rifle?

[Potter4077]

Hi everyone. I just won this rifle in an online auction out of Ohio. It didn’t give much info except “American Halfstock Rifle. American, 2nd half of 19th century. Walnut stock with checkered wrist. German silver inlays and patchbox with engraved decoration including a stag on the patch box lid, round barrel, percussion lock and trigger guard with engraved flourishes. 51 caliber. 58” l. I haven’t received delivery yet, so more photos aren’t possible until it arrives.

Can anyone tell me any info about identification by the photos? Could this be a Vincent Rifle? Also, aside from bore condition and what looks like a possible crack by the ramrod barrel, what do I need to check before firing?

[Tanselman]

The beautifully engraved mounts, particularly the patchbox with running deer, the single trigger, checkered wrist, short forestock, and the barrel bands at the breech all suggest a rifle made in New York.

Shelby Gallien

[Robert Roller]

I am also seeing New York here.Have you removed the barrel to see if it's marked?Great color and inletting.
Bob Roller

[JTR]

New York target rifle. That's what I would think.
John

[Robert Roller]

Be sure to  see if it has a long forgotten load in the barrel.
Bob Roller

[Buck]

I had one identical less the stars and all in brass from the Pennsylvania Rifle Works. That’s my guess.

Buck

[Tanselman]

Buck,

The butt architecture is similar to butt stocks from PA and other areas, but the detail work strongly suggests a New York origin. The cap box engraving looks like New York engraving, as do the barrel bands, heavily engraved breech, octagon-to-round barrel, shorter than normal grip area in the forestock, fowler-type front extension on guard... and particularly the single trigger. When you say you had a PA rifle "identical less the stars" do you mean it had all the other above New York features on it???

Shelby Gallien

[Buck]

Shelby,

I’m not debating the New York attribution. When I saw this I had a knee jerk second look reaction due to the similarities. When Jack passed away it was the first rifle I pulled out of the safe, the back action lock was brass and had Pennsylvania Rifle Works stamped in Calligraphy on the lock plate. It was covered in engraved brass furniture, the barrel was engraved as well. Can’t remember who I sold that to, he’s been gone 16 years now - memory isn’t as hot as it used to be. Anyway, it was identical to this rifle.

Buck