A new project... .36 cal fullstock

Picked this little thing up the other day. I believe the coin dates from 1838-1861-ish. Hopefully someone will know for sure. I do not think this rifle has been converted. I think it has been percussion all along.

Unmarked. Where do y'all think it was built? Was advertised as .40 cal. Actual measurement = .356 bore is VG+ with DEEP grooves!



You can tell it's been repaired and added-on-to over the years. Never been a fan of faux striping, but I think they kept it classy on this one. Looking forward to shooting it after repairs.

I like it!

tom in nc said:

I like it!

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Thanks Tom!

It would be an1838-1865 seated liberty quarter, a ribbon with E PLURIBUS UNUM was added in 1866.

Trot said:

It would be an1838-1865 seated liberty quarter, a ribbon with E PLURIBUS UNUM was added in 1866.

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THANK YOU!!

Dusty_Traveler said:

Picked this little thing up the other day. I believe the coin dates from 1838-1861-ish. Hopefully someone will know for sure. I do not think this rifle has been converted. I think it has been percussion all along.

Unmarked. Where do y'all think it was built? Was advertised as .40 cal. Actual measurement = .356 bore is VG+ with DEEP grooves!

View attachment 363424View attachment 363425View attachment 363426View attachment 363427View attachment 363428View attachment 363429View attachment 363430

You can tell it's been repaired and added-on-to over the years. Never been a fan of faux striping, but I think they kept it classy on this one. Looking forward to shooting it after repairs.

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that's a pretty one for sure. nice

Your rifle was made by Nathaniel Rowe of Emmitsburg, Maryland. He apprenticed under gunsmith John Armstrong, one of Maryland's finest early gunmakers. Rowe was born in 1821 and finished his apprenticeship in 1842, so he worked in the percussion era. Note the single lock bolt that indicates an original percussion rifle. The engraved pattern on the patchbox is very specific to his work, along with the side plate shape and engraving, and the general stock architecture The gun has slim lines and a fine patchbox, but the larger cheekpiece and lack of incised molding/carving on the rifle date it to the late 1840s.

Shelby Gallien

Tanselman said:

Your rifle was made by Nathaniel Rowe of Emmitsburg, Maryland. He apprenticed under gunsmith John Armstrong, one of Maryland's finest early gunmakers. Rowe was born in 1821 and finished his apprenticeship in 1842, so he worked in the percussion era. Note the single lock bolt that indicates an original percussion rifle. The engraved pattern on the patchbox is very specific to his work, along with the side plate shape and engraving, and the general stock architecture The gun has slim lines and a fine patchbox, but the larger cheekpiece and lack of incised molding/carving on the rifle date it to the late 1840s.

Shelby Gallien

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Shelby,
THANK YOU so much for that information. I would never have thought that it would be identified right down to the very maker. So, would this rifle be considered of the "Emmitsburg" school? Are there any other defining features, below the surface, that can also be identified as Rowe? The top flat of the barrel is not marked.

Two things on this rifle I have not seen anywhere else, yet; there is a small nub of iron jointed into the tip of the heel of the buttplate for wear resistance. Not sure when this was done, but it looks to match the rest of the rifle.

The other is the barrel tenons. They are not dovetailed in. They are not staples. They are not even full hoops, but “z shaped” half hoops. Its a small strip of ~1/8” material with two opposing 90° angles in the middle. One of the ‘fingers’ is forge welded to the barrel. The other “finger” secures the stock pin between it and the barrel.

I think you should send this to me for my full evaluation and appreciation. Haha

It's a piece of junk. Send it to me and I'll rid you of that ghastly travesty for free!

Dandy rifle! Congratulations

Very cool old rifle! That rifling is interesting too, I wonder how thick of a patch you'll end up needing.


Eric

Pretty darn neat rifle you got yourself there.