Any idea who made this rifle?

[WalnutRed]

I've not been able to identify any marking on the top barrel flat. Lock is marked Joseph Golcher. Looks to be about 36-38 caliber. I'm in Ohio and to me it looks like one of many other rifles that were made in the Mid West in the last half of the 19th century. Other than the crack in the wrist the stock is very solid and the rifle points very naturally. I'm actually thinking of trying a restoration. I've no idea what the original triggerguard would have looked like though.

 

[Andrewmtnman]

Not sure if it helps but I have pics of one similar on a thread I started in April 2022 here. Its titled Joseph gulcher rifle, I believe. May be able to get an idea of the parts missing on yours. Ill try to link the thread but I've never done that b4

 

[WalnutRed]

Thanks, I should have thought t do a search here. That helps.

 

[sheriff john]

Restoration's quite possible b/c you have the basic parts and the stock appears to be salvageable. Now whether or not it can be restored into a shooter is more a question of what you want to spend in time, effort, and how difficult that back action lock will be to work with. There are knowledgeable people on this forum who enjoy helping. Take it slow and enjoy owning a piece of American frontier history.