Antique Firearms

[JBrandon]

Excellent idea.

 

[Relic shooter]

I'm also game for an Antique Muzzleloader Only Category on our forum.
Being the majority of us are also history buffs what possible downside could there be ?
If this category is approved by the forum I hope it also includes a separate Buy & Sell category
for those of us who shoot primarily original firearms. I'm 80 years old & would like to see
my prized originals to end up in hands of folks who use & care for them & not deteriorate on a wall.
relic shooter

 

[Buckskinquin]

I can get behind that!!

View attachment 170377View attachment 170378View attachment 170379View attachment 170380View attachment 170384

Here's my Goulcher locked .375 long rifle. Not marked. Not real sure of an exact date. I'll say 1850's. The bridle screws are hand forged, and the tumbler has been repaired at some point in history. The trigger guard is soldered together from multiple pieces. It has a tapered ramrod with a hand forged iron patch worm on the small end. She's a CHONKER at 10lb 7oz. Still shoots great! There's just something about a plain jane rifle with a good walnut stock that gives me a tingle.

45gr 3f
.40 felt OP wad
.017 patch
.360 rb

Josh Golcher was in the lock business from 1810 to 1860 In Philadelphia, based on different posts I’ve seen. Shipped locks all over the east coast from what I’ve read. That’s a beauty!

 

[bluemule66]

I like the idea. I may have some to post that haven't been seen on here yet.

 

[Notchy Bob]

Moderators? Do you have any thoughts or comments to share regarding a group dedicated to antiques?

Thanks,

Notchy Bob

 

[babstooge]

I posted a rifle in identifying se tion,tonight, an 1850s Michigan built gun. What I loved was the history behind the gun. If we had a section on antiques we could all share information and learn as others would too. IMHO ,Bruce

 

[Tenmile]

I posted a rifle I recently acquired awhile back, made in the 1850’s. I thought any antique firearm would be of interest to most of us. I would like to see a dedicated section for antiques.

 

[Uncle Miltie]

I would enjoy such a forum, but if a a cutoff year is needed it ought to be 1900 methinks.

 

[Gianki]

I would be very interested.

View attachment 170368

Very nice!

 

[Feltwad]

I would enjoy such a forum, but if a a cutoff year is needed it ought to be 1900 methinks.

Why 1900? You are well past the muzzle loading period this is the breech loading shotgun, pistol, and rifle and could end up has a free for all let's stick to the original date.
Feltwad

 

[GREENSWLDE]

I would go with the 1865 team. A lot of inervation and patents between 1860--1865. O.D.

 

[jimhallam]

What would the magic year be for such a forum to keep it interesting??
Any BP gun built earlier than .........lets say 1900??
Maybe some other earlier date?
I would also be interested in such a forum as long as replicas aren't posted.
If that happens, it becomes the same as any other forum.

Just thinking out loud.

Why not before 1899 ? -- - then at least Federally it is not a FIREARM.

 

[jimhallam]

I would enjoy such a forum, but if a a cutoff year is needed it ought to be 1900 methinks.

BEFORE 1899*** makes it a NON-firearm, at least Federally. Should make it easier to move such items across state lines.

*** NOT "before 1898" which some people think is correct.

 

[Auldjin]

I am not an expert in the dates, but there was a significant hiatus between the end of first generation production by the "main" manufacturers and the start of manufacture of second generation pieces. The choice of 1899 which would fall in that range seems very convenient and would work nicely with the US definition of "antique! Obviously pistols such as the Volcanic which are older than the last percussion pieces would fall at the first hurdle by not being a muzzleloader.

Is a turn-off pistol strictly a muzzleloader? The minefield of definitions!

 

[PathfinderNC]

Good idea, Feltwad. Glad to know someone around here’s been wearing their Thinking Cap

 

[Uncle Miltie]

Why 1900? You are well past the muzzle loading period this is the breech loading shotgun, pistol, and rifle and could end up has a free for all let's stick to the original date.
Feltwad

Muzzleoaders were made sold and used after 1900. Until smokeless powder was perfected muzzleloaders were the most accurate rifles there were. Long range muzzleloaders were still used in the 1890's. Heck, J.C. Vincent made rifles until he passed away around 1917.

 

[Notchy Bob]

I did check the ALR forum, and could not find where they specified a date. I think they were just counting on the forum members to understand intuitively what is an antique and what isn't, and it seems to be working out. The moderators move a thread now and then, but it doesn't seem to be a major problem. The circa 1885 French pistol shown by @Bayer1957 in post #13 certainly qualifies as an original muzzleloader, but it wouldn't make the 1865 cut-off date. There were longrifles being built in the Great Smoky Mountains, and muzzle-loading target rifles in the hill county of southern Ohio in the early 20th century. These were part of a continuous, unbroken tradition of gun building.

I guess my point would be that we could debate a proper cut-off date for definition of an antique until the cows come home and probably not achieve a consensus that would make everybody happy. That, and it is just in the nature of some humans to want to push limits.

As someone pointed out, the Firearm Identification forum specifies original, pre-1865 muzzleloading firearms, and I haven't seen any complaints. We could just try that for a while, and see how it goes. And if somebody posts regarding an original percussion muzzleloading side lock pistol made in 1885, we could simply appreciate it for what it is... an antique muzzleloading pistol. The moderators could move the thread if it is problematic. I don't think the sky would fall.

I would like to see this idea of an Antique forum move ahead.

Best regards,

Notchy Bob

 

[Feltwad]

If it is decided that a cut off time be after 1860 to allow muzzle loaders that were built later like those from the UK and Belgium which were after 1900 it is for the moderators to sought out but to me it will cause a lot of argument which in turn will allow the breech loading cartridge guns in, although these guns are classed by many has antiques it is against the traditional muzzle loaders forums. if it left at the original date to see how it goes but maybe we are being too hasty has the forum for antiques has not been agree one way of another
Feltwad

 

[TDM]

While I am very adverse to change, I see no problem with it. It could very well give me the excuse I’m looking for to buy the real deal.

 

[Auldjin]

I know any arbitrary cut-off will present problems but it does seem a little odd to cut off the tail end of Colt's percussion production.