Anyone know anything about this rifle?

[WarrenW]

Hi everyone,

My father passed down a rifle to me and I do not know anything about where it came from. Its very beautiful and in great condition. But its just sitting in my closet and I may sell it if I can determine what it is worth along with more info.

I made a web page with 12 pictures of it. On the side it says "BENESCH" and on the top of the barrel it says "IN TEMESVAR". I tried doing some searching on it but came up empty.

Here is the web site:
http://www.IamBigBrother.com/rifle/index.htm

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Warren

 

[Stophel]

VERY neat rifle! Google tells me that "Temesvar" is a city in Hungary. It's a mid-to-late-19th century rifle with a typical post mounted "diopter" sight for target shooting. I LOVE the carved head on the triggerguard (which I take to be horn). The thing even has imitation curl painted on the stock!

Not my era of gun, but someone else here might be able to give you a general value.

 

[Bob Riegl]

:hmm: The name Benesch & the name of the city of Temesvar I would be safe in saying either Hungarian or Roumanian in origin. Based on my lineage, the name Temesvar would seem to me to be of Hungarian origin and quite possibly close enough to the common border at the time. The city of Szeged is where my father emigrated from and that is in the vicinity of Temesvar or Timisoar in Roumanian. If there is a further inscription with the following word "fegyvehrgar" which is translated as a firearms factory, that would cinch it for me. :thumbsup:

 

[WarrenW]

Thanks everyone! I did see the word Temesvar being relates to Romania when searching but nothing to the rifle itself. There are no other markings on the gun.

The head is very beautiful on it with her hair going back towards the trigger area.

I would have no idea what to ask for it. I remember the cleaning kit was wrapped in a newspaper that was another language and dated way back but we removed it to save and not sure where its at now.

 

[lanedh]

My source gives Temesvar (English version) as the capital city of the banat (district/province) in Romania.

 

[gcebulka]

Thanks everyone! I did see the word Temesvar being relates to Romania when searching but nothing to the rifle itself. There are no other markings on the gun.

The head is very beautiful on it with her hair going back towards the trigger area.

I would have no idea what to ask for it. I remember the cleaning kit was wrapped in a newspaper that was another language and dated way back but we removed it to save and not sure where its at now.

My advice, FWIW, don;t even think about selling it. Clean it up bit maybe, but, hang onto it. Sounds like it has some family history that goes along with it. COuld you tell us how it came into your father's possession? Seems like there is a story here somewhere... :thumbsup:

PS,
Beautiful gun..

 

[WarrenW]

I wish I knew more. He passed a few years ago. I know its not through the family though - he aquired it somehow in the past. I normally would not sell anything like this but its not sentimental to me actually. I do have a winchester model 12 20 gauge pump that is though since he had it since he was 9 years old. I'll never part with that one. I had a german luger I just sold for $1200 from my father and bought a jon boat and motor with the money. So its not like I wasted the money. I have two boys and they love it for camping now.

 

[paulvallandigham]

German Lugars, my friend, see prices rise as fast as mercury in a heat wave these days. Without knowing about the lugar you sold, I will venture to say it is worth even more now, than what you were paid.

I also would suggest that you not sell the gun. It does have antique value, particularly with the balls, and tools in the patch box. Take it to a qualified Antique Arms dealer, or auction house and pay to have it appraised. We have steered you right from just seeing these pictures, and a visual inspection of the gun, removing the barrel from the stock to check the markings on the bottom of the barrel( Where proof marks are often located, and some guns will have serial numbers, too) can help identify the firearm with much greater specificity. This looks like a sportsman's rifle intended for competition shooting, more than hunting. It is a finally crafted rifle, as the wood work, and that antler or bone trigger guard also demonstrates. This was not a cheap rifle when it was originally made. That would indicate it was made for a wealthy shooter, perhaps even someone who held a title, or was a local political figure. In the right market it should be worth thousands of dollars, and if not now, then in a few more years as the original countries inprove their economies, and people renew their interest in history. So much was destroyed in Europe in the two world wars that for something like this to survive in this kind of shape is quite remarkable.

OH, BTW, any research that you pay to have done, any appraisal work you pay for will add to the market value of the gun, as the research and appraisals will assure possible buyers what they are buying and what its true value may be.

 

[wildeagle]

Very nice rifle Warren. Some very nice details on this rifle. I'm partial to sliding wooden patchbox covers. I'd be curious to what the key might open ? Kinda interesting that it is kept in the patchbox.

 

[arquebus]

I'd venture to say that it's more of a hunting rifle than a target one. Many european hunting guns had simple tang-mounted aperture sights (diopters), that plus the patchbox & the manner in which the sling is attached tends to suggest it was made primarily for field use.
It looks to be a very nice rifle, have you had a look down the bore to check its condition? If you do decide to sell it, my advice would be to do as much research as possible & maybe scan a few auction sites & see if anything similar comes up. Once you come up with a ball park figure PM me as I may be interested if the bore is in good shape. Good luck with your quest!

 

[GreyWhiskers]

Warren,

Interesting rifle! Researching it's origin could be fun. I would hang on to it. GW

 

[springer]

I think Benesch was the manufacturer of this gun in city of Temesvar. Temesvar was a Hungarian city before Trianon. Now it is a Roumanian one.
Firearms factory - fegyvergyár

 

[billk]

That is a very nice rifle. I like the details on it. I also like to way the sling is attached to the gun. I was born in Europe and most of the hunting guns I have seen have sling attachments.
Can you please post a close up picture of the front sling thimple attachment?
Thank you, :thumbsup:
BillK

 

[gcebulka]

I wish I knew more. He passed a few years ago. I know its not through the family though - he aquired it somehow in the past. I normally would not sell anything like this but its not sentimental to me actually. I do have a winchester model 12 20 gauge pump that is though since he had it since he was 9 years old. I'll never part with that one. I had a german luger I just sold for $1200 from my father and bought a jon boat and motor with the money. So its not like I wasted the money. I have two boys and they love it for camping now.

Sorry to hear of your father's passing.
Once again, FWIW, I'd hang on the gun and do some research on it. Which, as Paul said, would only add to it's value. It's a bit hard to tell from your pics, but, is can you tell if the gun is in working condition? What shape is the bore in? Are the firing mechnisms in working condition?
Another thought, you might try contacting these folks:[url] http://www.hermann-historica.com/[/url]
since they seem to specialize in European weapons. They might have come across something like it before.
And finally, one last thing....Keep us posted!! :grin:

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

Did your father serve in World War II? If so, perhaps it is a WWII "bring back".

 

[gcebulka]

Warren,
Here are some other links that may help you identify the rifle. [url] http://www.royalarmouries.org/extsite/view.jsp?sectionId=364[/url]
See the terms and conditions section
[url] http://www.ordmusfound.org/index.htm[/url]
See the section for researchers.

You may be able to get some good info just by sending an email with some details and a few pics.

 

[WabishMukwa]

WW,

This is a hunting rifle from circa 1860-1870.Locally made in Temesvar (Transsylvania,Hungary).Walnut stock with artificially grained to resemble maple(I bet this has been done in the States some time ago).Nice carving at triggerguard.Tipical local transsylvanian "mask" carving of the period.As for value check the above mentioned sources or send me a private msg. and I can give you further ideas.
Good luck
WB :hatsoff: