My Golcher backaction original

Acquired this through an online auction in Pa. Always admired the workmanship Josh Golcher put in his locks and bid on this rifle because of that. Once received however, I realized it was an original. 45 cal., octagon to round barrel with 2 British proof marks that put it in the 1815–1855 range. Brass furniture, single trigger, strong rifling. The only damage to the rifle is a small piece is missing from the heel of the stock. When received, there was no evidence of misuse, no dust or buildup on the outer surfaces. The bore showed a light coating of rust that cleaned up easily.

I bet it can do well at our steel shoot

Sweet!

Looks like you did very well. Please share details when you get a chance to shoot her.

BillinOregon said:

Looks like you did very well. Please share details when you get a chance to shoot her.

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Plan on shooting a few aggs at the NC State Muzzleloading Championship this weekend. Ill report back. Thanks for the onterest.

I thought some shoots would not allow an unsupported percussion drum? Anyone heard of this?

Sam squanch said:

I thought some shoots would not allow an unsupported percussion drum? Anyone heard of this?

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Not in the 25 years Ive shot. Some will not allow a gun w/o a secure half cock position.

BillinOregon said:

Looks like you did very well. Please share details when you get a chance to shoot her.

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Posted my June target. The rifle shoots very well with 40 grains of 3F, 440 ball and.015 patch. The butt plate is uncomfortable on my shoulder when bench shooting, but not so when shooting off hand.

Neat rifle !!
The British proofs are unusual on this style of rifle.

Relic shooter said:

Neat rifle !!
The British proofs are unusual on this style of rifle.

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Yes they are, one dates to 1815, the other 1855. The Golcher family emigrated from England in the late 1700’s. I’m thinking this lock got sent back to a gunsmith in England. Also unusual is the barrel goes from octagon to round. It really has good balance when held to shoot.

Your rifle appears to be a nice New York hunting rifle made in 1840s-1850s using a commercial Golcher lock readily available in the gunsmith's local hardware/outfitter store. The single brass trigger, scroll-type guard, and cherry wood stock strongly support this origin. The barrel may well be a repurposed English barrel on this American rifle... which made the American gunmaker hesitant to sign it. The crisp, sharp multi-groove rifling appears to be modern recut rifling, probably explaining why the gun shoots so well for you.

Shelby Gallien

Tanselman said:

Your rifle appears to be a nice New York hunting rifle made in 1840s-1850s using a commercial Golcher lock readily available in the gunsmith's local hardware/outfitter store. The single brass trigger, scroll-type guard, and cherry wood stock strongly support this origin. The barrel may well be a repurposed English barrel on this American rifle... which made the American gunmaker hesitant to sign it. The crisp, sharp multi-groove rifling appears to be modern recut rifling, probably explaining why the gun shoots so well for you.

Shelby Gallien

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Thanks for your insight Shelby. I bought this rifle through an auction in Pa., so it may well have spent sometime in NY.