Help ID/Info wanted…

Greetings!

This rifle was given to me by my Dad. He purchased it at a gun shop on M46 on the east side of Muskegon, MI (Gary’s?) in the mid-late 70’s. To my knowledge it’s not been taken apart in the years he has owned it and I don’t plan to do so, so I don’t know if there are other markings on the rifle. It .45 caliber. I’m assuming the engraving on the barrel denotes it was built in 1972 and was perhaps the 5th gun completed by this builder? I see the engraving on the barrel as “J F N” or “J F H”. It shoots very well.

It really doesn’t matter what it is as I plan to keep it and pass it on to my children or grandchildren. I have no interest in selling it. I’m just curious (as is my Dad) and thought someone here might enjoy making an educated guess as to what it might be. What do you think?

Thank you in advance!

It’s a very nice rifle! Have you or do you intend on shooting it?

Gtrubicon said:

It’s a very nice rifle! Have you or do you intend on shooting it?

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I believe it was the first rifle I ever shot (save an air rifle or two). I was probably 10 years old and visiting family in SD and we were shooting prairie dogs. To the surprise of my Dad, Uncle, and cousins, I got one! My Dad loved it for black powder shoots. He still “borrows” it from me. I have shot it on a few occasions since he gave it to me, but it’s hard to find time to shoot very often.

In the 1970's there were a number of fairly capable gunsmiths who wanted to make a muzzleloading rifle. Then the Bicentennial of the American Revolution was coming up. There were a few barrel makers that also made barrels for muzzle loading rifles. Cap locks were chosen for most of these rifles as most builders did not know how to properly tune a flint lock and the prevailing misinformation led many to believe that flintlocks were unreliable.

What I am seeing is what we in the St. Louis Missouri surrounding area often call a "West County Special". These were made of quality parts for the barrel, lock, and trigger. In some cases, even original triggers and locks were used. I think these are 1970's contemporary triggers and lock. @FreezerHunter's rifle has a good quality cap lock using a drum as the snail breeches weren't all that common. It has a nice cast trigger guard and butt plate. The only way to try to determine the barrel maker is to remove the barrel from the stock. The lock could be removed to see if there are any markings on the inside of the lock plate. Since it is known to be accurate on target, Freezerhunter's rifle should be enjoyed as the rifle it is and hope that someone may know who the builder is.