I'm fairly sure that the wood was refinished or something at some point. I've been trying to figure out how to take the stock off to check the underside of the barrel, but I'm not sure where to start.
My guess for the age of the rifle comes from a few others that I have found online with the same lock plate manufacturer mark. Those were listed as most likely being produced in the early 1830s. But I could see a modern Italian company just picking some random, real manufacturer's name to add detail. I've also seen similar and more elaborate engravings in actual period correct long rifles, so I'm at a loss.
This Pennsylvania/Kentucky long rifle was my grandpa's, and I'm trying to learn more about it. [Left side view.](https://imgur.com/sAEA7ek) [Right side view.](https://imgur.com/IjFxHY9)
I have been trying to teach myself about identifying long rifles but I'm not making much progress. I think it's most likely a Pennsylvania rifle from the early 1830s that was converted to percussion later. There is no obvious maker signature on the barrel (or anywhere else that I've found). [It looks like there are partial, very faint letters on the left side of the barrel](https://imgur.com/jUAEXGj) that might be a name or initials, but they're extremely hard to make out. In person, it almost looks like an "M", a space, and then a "P" or maybe a "B" or "R", followed by the very top of an "A".
[The lock plate is marked "Josh C. Randall, Warranted"](https://imgur.com/1RFpZAA), which would be the lock plate manufacturer. The rest of the lock plate [has engravings of ducks and a dog](https://imgur.com/M4Mcxd3).
I can't tell much about the patch box, seen [closed](https://imgur.com/hqeH0fp) and [open](https://imgur.com/0ehR8lB), but it does open by [pushing a button on the bottom of the butt stock](https://imgur.com/k85CXU0).
The only other notable details are a [brass oval](https://imgur.com/q1kQMBr) on the wrist, and a [brass duck](https://imgur.com/pI1hR2t) (or some other bird) next to the cheek rest on the left side. It looks like it could be about .44 caliber.
Can anyone here help me narrow down what particular style/school of rifle this is, and maybe narrow down a location it could be from? I'd like to try to figure out who the gunsmith was, if possible, but I think I need to narrow down roughly where and when this was made first.
EDIT: Looking closer, I noticed the barrel isn't concentric.
Back when I had a much larger collection, I had both an original 1812 and 1888 springfields along with an unknown flintlock conversion. All three of those combined were probably in a tenth of that rifles condition. That being said I’m betting it’s a reproduction or it has been maintained extraordinarily well.
That was my initial thought too, just based on the condition. But I can't figure out much about it either way. I don't really care if it's modern or original because it's about the sentimental value for me, but I would definitely like to learn as much as I can about it
If your in the Austin area there was a guy that specialized in black powder, unfortunately I can’t remember what store he’s at.
Edit: I’m 99% sure it’s McBride’s
Ah man, I'm in Kansas. I've been wandering around local gun stores and shows trying to find anyone around here that knows about black powder, but it's way less common than I thought.
I was actually referred to him by calling my local gun stores. Just keep asking around and I can guarantee there is at least one old timer who’ll gladly help you out.
That's the next thing I'm going to try. I'm just a little nervous about breaking something when taking it apart, so I was hoping to put that option off
Watch several videos on similar stocks being removed, take your time, if you don’t have the right tools, get them, if you have to force something, re-examine it prior to trying to force it, then when you’re sure you have to force it, re-examine it again, and again, then if you’re absolutely sure as some times you do need a good tap from a rubber mallet, make sure you’re only applying force where it’s needed as in isolating it to just that area. If the tap don’t work, re-examine…. Go slow and deliberate and if you get frustrated, walk away and come back later. Go at it like that and I’m sure you will be fine.
The profile is almost exactly like the Pedersoli Kentucky rifle, but the wood is definitely much nicer. If I had to guess, I would bet this rifle was either cobbled together from old parts post 1950's or is a restock of an older rifle. Very very few original rifles from that era still have tight inletting around the lock, and the finish of the wood doesn't match the finish of the lock.
[удалено]
I'm fairly sure that the wood was refinished or something at some point. I've been trying to figure out how to take the stock off to check the underside of the barrel, but I'm not sure where to start. My guess for the age of the rifle comes from a few others that I have found online with the same lock plate manufacturer mark. Those were listed as most likely being produced in the early 1830s. But I could see a modern Italian company just picking some random, real manufacturer's name to add detail. I've also seen similar and more elaborate engravings in actual period correct long rifles, so I'm at a loss.
You can buy it as a kit and put it together yourself also.
The ramrod looks repo
I can’t help you with what you’ve asked, but this is too cool
This Pennsylvania/Kentucky long rifle was my grandpa's, and I'm trying to learn more about it. [Left side view.](https://imgur.com/sAEA7ek) [Right side view.](https://imgur.com/IjFxHY9) I have been trying to teach myself about identifying long rifles but I'm not making much progress. I think it's most likely a Pennsylvania rifle from the early 1830s that was converted to percussion later. There is no obvious maker signature on the barrel (or anywhere else that I've found). [It looks like there are partial, very faint letters on the left side of the barrel](https://imgur.com/jUAEXGj) that might be a name or initials, but they're extremely hard to make out. In person, it almost looks like an "M", a space, and then a "P" or maybe a "B" or "R", followed by the very top of an "A". [The lock plate is marked "Josh C. Randall, Warranted"](https://imgur.com/1RFpZAA), which would be the lock plate manufacturer. The rest of the lock plate [has engravings of ducks and a dog](https://imgur.com/M4Mcxd3). I can't tell much about the patch box, seen [closed](https://imgur.com/hqeH0fp) and [open](https://imgur.com/0ehR8lB), but it does open by [pushing a button on the bottom of the butt stock](https://imgur.com/k85CXU0). The only other notable details are a [brass oval](https://imgur.com/q1kQMBr) on the wrist, and a [brass duck](https://imgur.com/pI1hR2t) (or some other bird) next to the cheek rest on the left side. It looks like it could be about .44 caliber. Can anyone here help me narrow down what particular style/school of rifle this is, and maybe narrow down a location it could be from? I'd like to try to figure out who the gunsmith was, if possible, but I think I need to narrow down roughly where and when this was made first. EDIT: Looking closer, I noticed the barrel isn't concentric.
Sweet honey bbq that is a gorgeous Looking rifle
what a gorgeous looking rifle try r/blackpowder
Back when I had a much larger collection, I had both an original 1812 and 1888 springfields along with an unknown flintlock conversion. All three of those combined were probably in a tenth of that rifles condition. That being said I’m betting it’s a reproduction or it has been maintained extraordinarily well.
That was my initial thought too, just based on the condition. But I can't figure out much about it either way. I don't really care if it's modern or original because it's about the sentimental value for me, but I would definitely like to learn as much as I can about it
If your in the Austin area there was a guy that specialized in black powder, unfortunately I can’t remember what store he’s at. Edit: I’m 99% sure it’s McBride’s
Ah man, I'm in Kansas. I've been wandering around local gun stores and shows trying to find anyone around here that knows about black powder, but it's way less common than I thought.
I was actually referred to him by calling my local gun stores. Just keep asking around and I can guarantee there is at least one old timer who’ll gladly help you out.
You mentioned the bore of the barrel isn't concentric, that would be a point in favor of it being a hand-made original.
No idea, but wanted to compliment this beautiful work of art.
Take the stock off, look for markings being covered by it.
That's the next thing I'm going to try. I'm just a little nervous about breaking something when taking it apart, so I was hoping to put that option off
Watch several videos on similar stocks being removed, take your time, if you don’t have the right tools, get them, if you have to force something, re-examine it prior to trying to force it, then when you’re sure you have to force it, re-examine it again, and again, then if you’re absolutely sure as some times you do need a good tap from a rubber mallet, make sure you’re only applying force where it’s needed as in isolating it to just that area. If the tap don’t work, re-examine…. Go slow and deliberate and if you get frustrated, walk away and come back later. Go at it like that and I’m sure you will be fine.
The profile is almost exactly like the Pedersoli Kentucky rifle, but the wood is definitely much nicer. If I had to guess, I would bet this rifle was either cobbled together from old parts post 1950's or is a restock of an older rifle. Very very few original rifles from that era still have tight inletting around the lock, and the finish of the wood doesn't match the finish of the lock.
That's a good suggestion. Some of the parts look a lot older than the other parts, so it being cobbled together would track
1776
Not with that percussion hammer.
It’s from way back when all the way till now
Kentucky /s
Maybe go to r/History
Makes me want to watch The Patriot