ID this PA long rifle

Pittsburgh · September 25, 2011, 09:33 PM

100_3900.jpg

100_3861.jpg

Any information on this rifle would be greatly appreciated. No markings on the 40in rifled barrel,~.38 cal, lock plate says JOS GOLCHER. Looks to have a rough history with an interesting repair at the wrist.

Attachment 74080

Hawg · September 25, 2011, 10:28 PM

Golcher was a lock maker. Many builders used Golcher locks.

**Mike Irwin** · September 26, 2011, 07:08 AM

It could have been made by any of dozens of gun makers anywhere up and down the East coast.

The only way to figure it out for sure would be to either find the maker's mark on the barrel, or to have an expert look at it and see if it has any distinctive characteristics that can be attributed to one maker.

bedbugbilly · September 26, 2011, 12:23 PM

Interesting rifle and obviously that it was much used - too bad it can't talk as I'm sure it could tell some fine tales.

As already stated, Golcher was a manufacturer of locks used by many gunsmiths. They are currently being reproduced - I've used several on rifles that I've built and they are nice locks.

In looking at the close-up of the lock, I have to question if the hammer is not a replacement - possibly a repro Golcher hammer. if you look at the amount of pitting on the barrel, drum and lockplate - the hammer should show considerable more age and wear - usually if an original has that much pitting, etc. - the hammer cup shows considerable wear as well. The nipple does not line up with the nose which is not indicative of anything as drums can move over time and cause a misalignment - but - the hammer cup should be showing more wear. Possibly it doesn't show in the photo but from what I'm seeing, the hammer just looks "too good".

This is not meant as criticism or finding fault with it. I've purchased a number of originals over the years and some have had damaged hammers, some have been missing either main springs or sear springs, etc. - in "restoring" them, either original parts or appropriate modern made parts should be used. IF this is a replacement hammer, whoever did it used the appropriate hammer. Whether it is or not - the rifle is a very interesting one and it would be a nice addition to have for any collection. Good luck in your quest for finding the maker. Thanks!

**Mike Irwin** · September 26, 2011, 10:42 PM

You know, I never noticed that, but now that you say it, yes, I'd say that that hammer is a modern replacement.

Those old mercuric fulminate caps were absolute hell on the soft steels. They burned VERY hot and very violently, and would pit the living hell out of nipples and the lock plate as can be clearly seen.

svt40 · October 4, 2011, 07:04 AM

Try www.muzzleloadermag.com

September 25, 2011, 09:33 PM	#1
Pittsburgh Junior Member Join Date: September 25, 2011 Posts: 1	ID this PA long rifle 100_3900.jpg 100_3861.jpg Any information on this rifle would be greatly appreciated. No markings on the 40in rifled barrel,~.38 cal, lock plate says JOS GOLCHER. Looks to have a rough history with an interesting repair at the wrist. Attachment 74080 Last edited by Pittsburgh; September 25, 2011 at 10:26 PM.

September 26, 2011, 07:08 AM	#3
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 14, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,642	It could have been made by any of dozens of gun makers anywhere up and down the East coast. The only way to figure it out for sure would be to either find the maker's mark on the barrel, or to have an expert look at it and see if it has any distinctive characteristics that can be attributed to one maker. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

September 26, 2011, 12:23 PM	#4
bedbugbilly Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2009 Posts: 3,290	Interesting rifle and obviously that it was much used - too bad it can't talk as I'm sure it could tell some fine tales. As already stated, Golcher was a manufacturer of locks used by many gunsmiths. They are currently being reproduced - I've used several on rifles that I've built and they are nice locks. In looking at the close-up of the lock, I have to question if the hammer is not a replacement - possibly a repro Golcher hammer. if you look at the amount of pitting on the barrel, drum and lockplate - the hammer should show considerable more age and wear - usually if an original has that much pitting, etc. - the hammer cup shows considerable wear as well. The nipple does not line up with the nose which is not indicative of anything as drums can move over time and cause a misalignment - but - the hammer cup should be showing more wear. Possibly it doesn't show in the photo but from what I'm seeing, the hammer just looks "too good". This is not meant as criticism or finding fault with it. I've purchased a number of originals over the years and some have had damaged hammers, some have been missing either main springs or sear springs, etc. - in "restoring" them, either original parts or appropriate modern made parts should be used. IF this is a replacement hammer, whoever did it used the appropriate hammer. Whether it is or not - the rifle is a very interesting one and it would be a nice addition to have for any collection. Good luck in your quest for finding the maker. Thanks! __________________ If a pair of '51 Navies were good enough for Billy Hickok, then a single Navy on my right hip is good enough for me . . . besides . . . I'm probably only half as good as he was anyways. Hiram's Rangers Badge #63

September 26, 2011, 10:42 PM	#5
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 14, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,642	You know, I never noticed that, but now that you say it, yes, I'd say that that hammer is a modern replacement. Those old mercuric fulminate caps were absolute hell on the soft steels. They burned VERY hot and very violently, and would pit the living hell out of nipples and the lock plate as can be clearly seen. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

September 25, 2011, 10:28 PM	#2
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,380	Golcher was a lock maker. Many builders used Golcher locks.

October 4, 2011, 07:04 AM	#6
svt40 Member Join Date: September 27, 2011 Posts: 51	Try www.muzzleloadermag.com