GANGGREEN
45 Cal.
Just curious what I've got here. The 2nd from the bottom is a Joe Schell NC rifle. It's nice and I like it, but I'd prefer if it was a flintlock. Any idea what that lock is or if I can simply screw the drum out and screw a touch-hole liner in, then find a flintlock that would fit that existing mortise? If not I'll live with it as a percussion, I like the rifle, .36 caliber.
2nd from the top was advertised as a 14 gauge English fowler. I don't know enough about them to know what makes it an English fowler versus a Virginia, New England or whatever (other than the obvious if it was made in England). I haven't mic'ed it to see what the actual gauge/caliber is, but it's larger than a .62 for sure. I also don't see any stamps or maker's mark and don't know who may have made the barrel or the lock and was hoping someone could tell me something about the gun. It appears to be a Damascus barrel, though it's not one of the really fancy Damascus designs. It's got an ebony cap and the engraving on lock, triggerguard and tang are fairly nice. Any thoughts about who/where/when or what the approximate value would be? The lock is very tight andvery strong and aside from a small gap at the breech (I presume this is a hooked breech), the gun's in outstanding condition and probably able to be shot. The other issue is that there's a crack on the sideplate side going from the barrel all the way to the trigger, so I'll likely need to take the gun apart, squeeze some super glue or wood glue in there and re-clamp it if that's wise to do. Sure appreciate any info about what I've got here.
Bottom rifle was described as a .35 caliber original with a Goulcher lock. I don't doubt that it is an original Goulcher lock, but I have a hard time imagining the rest of the gun is original because the condition is just too nice (other than the lock which shows a good bit of wear). The barrel is clean and isn't stamped, although the seller claimed that it's stamped Tryon underneath. The bore is super clean and the rifling is very shallow. Thoughts about this gun are appreciated as well.
The top gun is obviously a modern build. It's supposed to be a 1.125" Getz barrel, .54 caliber and the gun was well built, although it's butt ugly because of the depth and squareness of the wrist, lock area and forestock. I don't know if the builder did it intentionally for strength or if he just did a poor job removing wood. I don't doubt that this thing probably shoots lights out, but it's just not my cup of tea, partly because it's a percussion and partly because it weighs half a ton. Not sure if I'd sell it or take it apart, sell the barrel and use the lock and triggers for another project. Seems a shame to do that though.
I'll be out of town for much of the next two weeks, so may not see everyone's thoughts on this thread, but I am really curious what you all might tell me about the guns and I will check in and replay at a later date for sure. Thanks in advance for any education you can all provide.
2nd from the top was advertised as a 14 gauge English fowler. I don't know enough about them to know what makes it an English fowler versus a Virginia, New England or whatever (other than the obvious if it was made in England). I haven't mic'ed it to see what the actual gauge/caliber is, but it's larger than a .62 for sure. I also don't see any stamps or maker's mark and don't know who may have made the barrel or the lock and was hoping someone could tell me something about the gun. It appears to be a Damascus barrel, though it's not one of the really fancy Damascus designs. It's got an ebony cap and the engraving on lock, triggerguard and tang are fairly nice. Any thoughts about who/where/when or what the approximate value would be? The lock is very tight andvery strong and aside from a small gap at the breech (I presume this is a hooked breech), the gun's in outstanding condition and probably able to be shot. The other issue is that there's a crack on the sideplate side going from the barrel all the way to the trigger, so I'll likely need to take the gun apart, squeeze some super glue or wood glue in there and re-clamp it if that's wise to do. Sure appreciate any info about what I've got here.
Bottom rifle was described as a .35 caliber original with a Goulcher lock. I don't doubt that it is an original Goulcher lock, but I have a hard time imagining the rest of the gun is original because the condition is just too nice (other than the lock which shows a good bit of wear). The barrel is clean and isn't stamped, although the seller claimed that it's stamped Tryon underneath. The bore is super clean and the rifling is very shallow. Thoughts about this gun are appreciated as well.
The top gun is obviously a modern build. It's supposed to be a 1.125" Getz barrel, .54 caliber and the gun was well built, although it's butt ugly because of the depth and squareness of the wrist, lock area and forestock. I don't know if the builder did it intentionally for strength or if he just did a poor job removing wood. I don't doubt that this thing probably shoots lights out, but it's just not my cup of tea, partly because it's a percussion and partly because it weighs half a ton. Not sure if I'd sell it or take it apart, sell the barrel and use the lock and triggers for another project. Seems a shame to do that though.
I'll be out of town for much of the next two weeks, so may not see everyone's thoughts on this thread, but I am really curious what you all might tell me about the guns and I will check in and replay at a later date for sure. Thanks in advance for any education you can all provide.
