Old Muzzle Loader to Identify

BigBy1 · October 30, 2012, 03:31 PM

I've got an old muzzle loader Stamped IIMLA the serial # is stamped on each metal part #37 Anybody got any ideas??

Jim Watson · October 30, 2012, 04:14 PM

The trigger guard tang bent out into a sort of pistol grip looks like it started out as an 1849 Austrian musket, with stock shortened for surplus sales.

There were thousands of these and other European rifles and muskets imported by both sides during the Civil War. Which left an awful lot of obsolete surplus guns to sell off after the war with breechloaders coming out.

James K · October 30, 2012, 09:00 PM

Not only imported here in the war years, but sold throughout the world for many years after they were sold off as obsolete (did you think "milsurp" was something new?). Millions of muskets from dozens of countries were sold to arms dealers who converted many to shotguns for sale in the U.S., Africa, Asia and Latin America.

I have no idea what the IIMLA marking means, but I think it safe to say it is not factory. The number is an assembly number, put on at the original factory to ensure fitted parts were put back together after finishing.

Jim

BigBy1 · October 31, 2012, 06:51 AM

Thanks for your insight Jim! I had figured much the same... I got it from an estate sale, the family is known to have fought in the Civil War.

October 31, 2012, 06:51 AM	#4
BigBy1 Junior Member Join Date: October 30, 2012 Posts: 2	Old ML Thanks for your insight Jim! I had figured much the same... I got it from an estate sale, the family is known to have fought in the Civil War.

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October 30, 2012, 04:14 PM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,530	The trigger guard tang bent out into a sort of pistol grip looks like it started out as an 1849 Austrian musket, with stock shortened for surplus sales. There were thousands of these and other European rifles and muskets imported by both sides during the Civil War. Which left an awful lot of obsolete surplus guns to sell off after the war with breechloaders coming out.

October 30, 2012, 09:00 PM	#3
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Not only imported here in the war years, but sold throughout the world for many years after they were sold off as obsolete (did you think "milsurp" was something new?). Millions of muskets from dozens of countries were sold to arms dealers who converted many to shotguns for sale in the U.S., Africa, Asia and Latin America. I have no idea what the IIMLA marking means, but I think it safe to say it is not factory. The number is an assembly number, put on at the original factory to ensure fitted parts were put back together after finishing. Jim