Need help identifying an old neglected percussion cap rifle. Any advice on care and restoration would be greatly appreciated as well.
- Thread starter Atypical-Bass
- Start date
Help Support Muzzleloading Forum:
Where did you find that? My brother lived in Bonners Ferry until the cancer got him.
That is one gun that anything other than a very light cleaning of the rusty parts would do it a great disservice. If it were me, I would use some 000 steel wool with a little oil on it to lightly clean only the red rust off the metal parts and go no further, treat it like you are carding a barrel that you are browning. You need to know how to carefully disassemble the gun without damaging anything to give it a proper cleaning and don't clean the stock other than applying a tiny bit of Renaissance wax.
The inside of the barrel is probably dark and rusty, the gun may be loaded, 30% of the old guns that turn up are. Your ramrod will tell you if it is. If it stops before it gets to the drum the nipple sits on it may be loaded.
If you want a nice-looking attic condition wall hanger it wouldn't take much work, if you want a shooter you will have to have some serious gun building skills and knowledge. It appears to have been converted from a flintlock to percussion.
The inside of the barrel is probably dark and rusty, the gun may be loaded, 30% of the old guns that turn up are. Your ramrod will tell you if it is. If it stops before it gets to the drum the nipple sits on it may be loaded.
If you want a nice-looking attic condition wall hanger it wouldn't take much work, if you want a shooter you will have to have some serious gun building skills and knowledge. It appears to have been converted from a flintlock to percussion.
Last edited:
Uncle Miltie
50 Cal.
Very nice rifle, and in better shape than you think.
Could use some attention to be sure but any efforts would be worth it.
Could use some attention to be sure but any efforts would be worth it.
ronaldrothb49
45 Cal.
- Joined
- Oct 31, 2021
- Messages
- 846
- Reaction score
- 1,453
Wow that one has had a rough life. I would have to agree with Eric on this one a light cleaning and hang it on the wall. There are several cracks in the stock and that lock doesn't look like it is the original on it. Found a listing for a gunsmith Jacob Doll in York late 1700's early 1800's.
Atypical-Bass
32 Cal
It belongs to a friend of mine who says it has been in his family for a long time. I’m sorry to hear about your loss
A very nice piece and the lock is conversion from flint.
Conquerordie
40 Cal
- Joined
- Sep 17, 2021
- Messages
- 231
- Reaction score
- 315
On my Civil War muskets I use Kramer's Best Antique Improver. Just basically natural oil. Can be used on metal and wood. I'd hit any active rust with ballistol and a soft tooth brush, wipe clean, let dry, few coats of Kramers. Hang on wall and enjoy.
Hey! Good to see you made it over here from Reddit my man 
