Need help with an American Long Rifle

[chiefjason]

Not looking for a value, trying to estimate authenticity. If it's real he knows what he'll pay for it.

Obviously a version of an American Long Rifle. Story is it's been in the family since the American Revolution. I think the source is trustworthy not to be outright lying. But we all know how family stories get with age.

Barrel is marked A Cook, owner? Lock is marked RB.

Pros

Well worn with patina. Yes it can be faked but corroborated the story of being in the family a long time.

Set triggers, not sure if they work but they move a little when pressed. Just don't wan't to full on drop the hammer.

The crudeness does not bother me much. Could just be a cheap rifle on a homestead.

Barrel had the right look, more on that below though.

Cons

Percussion cap. Is that even period correct? Don't think so but finding mixed info here. No sign that it's a converted flintlock either.

Heavy, I mean really front heavy. I've shoulder some beautiful repro's and they were not heavy for their length.

Barrel appears to be bored and not welded.

Barrel does NOT appear to be rifled. The closest thing to rifling is you can see the octagon shape in the interior of the barrel. IMO, bad, bad sign there.

Missing ram rod and hangers plus some non period screws in places.


@Tim

 

[Dale Gribble]

Percussion caps - around 1820.

This is not from the War for Independence.

 

[chiefjason]

Percussion caps - around 1820.

This is not from the War for Independence.

My initial thought too but I want to run it past everyone here. See if anyone recognizes it. Also, not a military rifle so impossible to authenticate if it was used in the war, even if it was period correct. That would be speculation or family history only.

 

[Chihuahua Floyd]

My thoughts after looking at pictures.
Like wdfiredude said, percussion is way wrong time frame for War of Independence.
To me it looks like rust, not patina from honest wear and handling, more like neglect or abuse.
Hammer is definitely a dedicated percussion hammer, the only conversion I am familiar with had a converted hammer. fit of metal to wood is not good, stock is scratched and gouged, no forearm cap, no ramrod pictured.
No way I would even consider it without dropping the hammer on a cap. Muzzle pointing in a safe direction of course. (I blew a hole in a pond that way, and yes the pond was a safe direction)
Maybe if someone was giving it to me, otherwise no.
CF

 

[Tim]

My first impressions, without seeing it up close, are in line with @Chihuahua Floyd

While many older flintlocks had their locks replaced with percussion systems ( same as we’d swap a GI trigger for a Giessele), that doesn’t appear to be the case here. The relief in the wood is too good a match to the lock.

While I shoot BP a fair amount, I’m not really an historian. If it were me, I’d call or visit Jim Chambers in Canton, NC. His site: www.flintlocks.com

Or, post it to

http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php

^ that’s where my dad hangs out online.

 

[BASIL]

Wall hanger.

 

[SPM]

The design of the lock mark also looks more modern to me, but that's a guy feeling from looking at period muskets and such.

I will say is this; if it's a cherished family heirloom with a beloved family story attached, just be careful in how much you reveal if the facts don't necessarily line up - or at the very least, know your audience before revealing the truth. Sometimes generational childhood memories are at stake.

Those kinds of things can, at times , be more important than relic itself, at least in my opinion.

 

[Short Fuse]

No, big no. That rifle is way to new. The wood doesn't even appear to be very old. I bet no earlier than 1850, but my gut tells me it's a parts gun.

 

[cubrock]

My initial thought too but I want to run it past everyone here. See if anyone recognizes it. Also, not a military rifle so impossible to authenticate if it was used in the war, even if it was period correct. That would be speculation or family history only.

Ledford's Trading Post is local to you and Jerry Ledford knows A LOT about vintage black powder arms.

 

[chiefjason]

The design of the lock mark also looks more modern to me, but that's a guy feeling from looking at period muskets and such.

What does not show up is the circle to the right of the B. It has some really fine hash marks in it. The barrel marking is more crude than that of the lock for sure.

Ledford's Trading Post is local to you and Jerry Ledford knows A LOT about vintage black powder arms.

I'll pass this on. But the reality is, you guys just reinforced what I had told him. It looks the part at first but when you start really looking at it things just don't add up for that time frame. He was probably going to pass on it, but sure he will at this point. But a trip to Ledford's wouldn't cost much. The lady knows or has been told what a good condition period musket is worth, but this is neither. He gave her a price range for a period gun in this condition, which it's apparently not. My guess is it goes back in her closet or to someone else.

 

[rdinatal]

She could sell it on Armslist. Just saying...

-R

 

[chiefjason]

She could sell it on Armslist. Just saying...

-R

Antique musket. Originally came over on the Mayflower. Belonged to Miles Standish. Custom engraving. Tactical long barrel. Upgraded ignition system. Custom trigger.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Gunbelt]

Post at link below. Someone there will know.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/100..._id=1513431714884023&notif_t=group_highlights