Curious Flintlock Rifle

historybug · March 23, 2010, 01:38 AM

Hello, Harley,

I had a site visitor send me photos of an old flintlock with an arrow imprinted or etched into the top of its octagonal barrel, He wanted to know if I could tell him what kind it was, but I don't have a clue, and have never seen anything like it. Any info you can offer about this would be appreciated!

I've attached some photos.

Thanks!

Historybug

Harley Nolden · March 23, 2010, 07:19 AM

There may be other markings on the gun, this would really help.

It the markings are difficult to read, color over them with a graphite pencil. This should show the marks. It appears to be a Kentucky Rifle, and if so there were many gun makers making this style. Buy getting a name on the gun I may have more info.

Mr Harley

Jim Watson · March 23, 2010, 07:39 AM

In the first place, it isn't (wasn't back when it had all its parts) a flintlock. There is a percussion bolster and nipple which makes it a cap and ball rifle.

There are not what we think of as "brands" or "makes" of guns from that era. They were made in small shops from commodity parts (I think this one is later than the days when one man made the whole gun, it is probably a commercial barrel and lock stocked up by a local gunsmith.) One guy putting an arrow on the barrel as his trademark might have been well known in his life and area, but it will be tough to trace back after 150 years.

**4V50 Gary** · March 23, 2010, 08:27 AM

Looks like it may have been a back-action lock. I'd like a better image of the area that was cut out for the lock.

The lack of a sideplate suggests that it may be a poor boy (Southern rifle). How about a view of the tang?

Can we get a full length view? I'd like to see the buttplate. I suspect that it would be very crescent shape.

**4V50 Gary** · March 23, 2010, 07:21 PM

I suspect that the lock was originally a back action lock. It may never have even been a flintlock and could have been a percussion gun from inception.

It's hard to tell from the photos whether the gun was a full stock that was modified into a half stock. It does have the iron under-rib beneath the barrel, but that could have been added later. I'll need a closer view of the end of the half stock where the nose piece is.

I suspect that it doesn't have a patchbox. Not all did. I'm wondering if it had a simple hole for a grease?

historybug · March 24, 2010, 09:12 PM

Thanks so much, all for your help, everybody! I'll pass on your suggestions and comments and see if I can get better pictures.

Historybug

March 23, 2010, 08:27 AM	#4
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,838	Looks like it may have been a back-action lock. I'd like a better image of the area that was cut out for the lock. The lack of a sideplate suggests that it may be a poor boy (Southern rifle). How about a view of the tang? Can we get a full length view? I'd like to see the buttplate. I suspect that it would be very crescent shape. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

March 23, 2010, 07:21 PM	#5
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,838	I suspect that the lock was originally a back action lock. It may never have even been a flintlock and could have been a percussion gun from inception. It's hard to tell from the photos whether the gun was a full stock that was modified into a half stock. It does have the iron under-rib beneath the barrel, but that could have been added later. I'll need a closer view of the end of the half stock where the nose piece is. I suspect that it doesn't have a patchbox. Not all did. I'm wondering if it had a simple hole for a grease? __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

March 24, 2010, 09:12 PM	#6
historybug Junior Member Join Date: June 27, 2009 Location: Bella Vista, AR Posts: 4	Curious flintlock Thanks so much, all for your help, everybody! I'll pass on your suggestions and comments and see if I can get better pictures. Historybug

March 23, 2010, 07:19 AM	#2
Harley Nolden Staff In Memoriam Join Date: January 8, 1999 Location: Brunswick,GA USA Posts: 1,884	There may be other markings on the gun, this would really help. It the markings are difficult to read, color over them with a graphite pencil. This should show the marks. It appears to be a Kentucky Rifle, and if so there were many gun makers making this style. Buy getting a name on the gun I may have more info. Mr Harley

March 23, 2010, 07:39 AM	#3
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,541	In the first place, it isn't (wasn't back when it had all its parts) a flintlock. There is a percussion bolster and nipple which makes it a cap and ball rifle. There are not what we think of as "brands" or "makes" of guns from that era. They were made in small shops from commodity parts (I think this one is later than the days when one man made the whole gun, it is probably a commercial barrel and lock stocked up by a local gunsmith.) One guy putting an arrow on the barrel as his trademark might have been well known in his life and area, but it will be tough to trace back after 150 years.