Can Anyone Tell Me What GRRW rifle I have? .45 Little Leman or Indian Trade Rifle

[marichman]

I have a Green River Rifle Works percussion rifle. I need help identifying what model it is. Serial 916 with .45 stamped under, so I am assuming one of the first 1,000. It's at my uncle's house, but I can get more measurements like LOP or Barrel Length. I know my uncle thinks it's worth something, but I am just trying to figure out what it is. Is this rifle desirable? Thanks in advance, I know I am asking a lot.

 

[plmeek]

If you can get the LOP and barrel length and diameter (across the flats) measurements, we can determine what model you have.

If the barrel diameter is 7/8", it could be a Leman Squirrel Rifle or a Little Leman. The difference between these two is the Squirrel rifle has a 14" LOP and the Little Leman LOP is around 13".

If the barrel diameter is 1" or larger, then it is a Leman Trade Rifle.

The bore looks a little rusty. Don't believe that rifle has seen an oiled patch in a long time. It should be cleaned up and oiled with a good rust preventative. A rusted and pitted bore can significantly reduce the rifle's value.

The tacks on the rifle is a personal thing. Some people like them and some don't.

The rifle has one of Ron Long's Hawken locks which are more desirable than the Bob Kern coil spring locks they started out with. It still has the heavier butt plate and trigger guard used on the early Lemans. These characteristics and the serial number would date it to 1975.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[marichman]

Phil, thanks for the info, so much information. I am going to measure it tonight.

 

[mushka]

If I had that puppy, I'd clean it up and shoot the devil out of it.

 

[Kansas Jake]

You asked if the rifle is desirable or worth something. I'll firmly plant my tongue in my cheek and say it isn't worth a darn and is very undesirable, so you should send it to me.

I really don't have an idea of value, but I bet most of us would be more than happy to have the rifle. Just don't sell it to someone for a couple of hundred dollars. It is definetly worth more than that.

 

[Grenadier1758]

The rifle is worth something, probably not as much as your uncle may think. You may have to do some research on the gun selling sites such as gunbroker to see what similar guns are selling for. As Jake said, its definitely worth more than a couple of hundred dollars.

 

[marichman]

Thanks for all the information- LOP looks like 14” and barrel width is an inch.

So based on the info I’ve gotten back from everyone - I have a .45 caliber Leman Trade Rifle that needs some oil and is worth more than a couple hundred bucks. I am happy to know more about this and other percussion rifles. Thx

 

[mushka]

You got a nice gun there. Clean it up some and use it.

 

[Ferret Master]

You might want to take a closer look at the area around the head of the lock bolt. From the pictures it look like the bolt has been drawn up tight enough to crack the wood. Easier to fix now than after it breaks all the way.
Ferret Master

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

I like those brass tacks. Some find tacks “tacky” (pun intended) but I feel they’re right at home on this kind of Leman percussion gun. Looks like something at home in a teepee out on the plains during the 1870s. Nice rifle for sure, but please tend to that bore. If the rifling turns out to be “ruint” you can send it to Bobby Hoyt to get it relined or “freshed out” as it were.

 

[user 34300]

http://grrw.org/leman-indian-rifle/Go down the page a bit.

As far as value, condition is everything. Unfortunately this one has been abused and neglected.

 

[marichman]

You might want to take a closer look at the area around the head of the lock bolt. From the pictures it look like the bolt has been drawn up tight enough to crack the wood. Easier to fix now than after it breaks all the way.
Ferret Master

I see that, now that you point it out. Thanks for the "heads up"