Flintlock

[davewhtt]

I picked up several flint and percussion rifles on a trade. One looks to good to be very old. On top of barrel is a signature. Judson J Brennan Craftsmanship looks very good Thanks for any information I’ll take some more pictures

 

[EC121]

Jud Brennan is a big name builder. That might an early piece when he lived in Mich. or a forgery. He lives in Alaska now. Do you have a picture of the signature? Does the barrel have Lansing, Mich. on it? That doesn't look like his work.

 

[HSmithTX]

Jud has made some of the finest rifles ever.

 

[davewhtt]

Jud Brennan is a big name builder. That looks like an early piece when he lived in Mich. He lives in Alaska now. Does the barrel have Lansing, Mich. on it? That doesn't look like his best work.

I don’t see Lansing anywhere unless it’s on bottom

 

[EC121]

He signed some of his early guns with Lansing, MI after his name.

 

[TDM]

Agree with @EC121

 

[user 58311]

If that's one of Jud's guns, it's one he built in the first grade!

 

[davewhtt]

I took several pictures of the different guns I got so looks like I may have mixed up some. This is picture of his signature plus few I’m sure is his gun

 

[EC121]

That is likely his rifle, but the patchbox looks terrible. I wonder if it is a later add-on.

 

[davewhtt]

That is likely his rifle, but the patchbox looks terrible. I wonder if it is a later add-on.

Thanks for information. Looks like it will be fun to shoot. Other 3 are old originals here are other names. G.R. Pierce very heavy barrel J. Harder double

 

[OLUT]

Thanks for information. Looks like it will be fun to shoot. Other 3 are old originals here are other names. G.R. Pierce very heavy barrel J. Harder double

The Jacob Harder double barrel with the Lock Haven marking is similar to his earlier ones from Athens, Pa. He more typically made over under configurations after he moved to Lock Haven, Pa. If you need any background on him, contact me at [email protected] as I've got loads of info on him. I'm especially interested in the caliber(s) and barrel length of your gun for my database of over 120 of his guns

 

[davewhtt]

The Jacob Harder double barrel with the Lock Haven marking is similar to his earlier ones from Athens, Pa. He more typically made over under configurations after he moved to Lock Haven, Pa. If you need any background on him, contact me at [email protected] as I've got loads of info on him. I'm especially interested in the caliber(s) and barrel length of your gun for my database of over 120 of his guns

Ok no problem I’ll be in shop over weekend for several transfers

 

[Ohio Rusty]

If it is a Jud Brennan gun, that last muzzleloader I saw made by Jud Brennan sold for $10,000 at a gun show. It was a .40 caliber. Lucky you to own it. ...
Ohi0 Rusty ><>

 

[davewhtt]

Jud Brennan is a big name builder. That might an early piece when he lived in Mich. or a forgery. He lives in Alaska now. Do you have a picture of the signature? Does the barrel have Lansing, Mich. on it? That doesn't look like his work.

How do I authenticate it? I’m tempted to keep and shoot it myself but not if it’s very valuable?

 

[Grenadier1758]

@davewhtt, your rifle is valuable in two ways.
1. It was built to be shot and used.
2. It is built of quality parts by a well regarded builder.

The provenance can be verified by contacting Jud Brenan.

Use it. Shoot it. Take care of it. Its value as a Jud Brenan rifle will continue to appreciate with use. Hanging it on a wall won't add enough to the value to make you rich. Not many have the opportunity to shoot such a rifle. Verify the provenance. The use will be priceless.

 

[davewhtt]

@davewhtt, your rifle is valuable in two ways.
1. It was built to be shot and used.
2. It is built of quality parts by a well regarded builder.

The provenance can be verified by contacting Jud Brenan.

Use it. Shoot it. Take care of it. Its value as a Jud Brenan rifle will continue to appreciate with use. Hanging it on a wall won't add enough to the value to make you rich. Not many have the opportunity to shoot such a rifle. Verify the provenance. The use will be priceless.

Well said and thanks

 

[James Kibler]

So neat to see some of Jud’s earlier work. I’d bet he might disagree, though