From my dad: Smoothbore 'trade musket'

[JH1961]

Information with it (a rarity with my dad's things) date it to 1844. It's VERY lightweight and would be a joy to carry 'woods walking'. It almost feels 'alive' in my hands.

 

[ppg1949]

I like it. Has the grip been repaired or is it ornamental. Any idea what bore it is?
Thanks for sharing this.

 

[JH1961]

I like it. Has the grip been repaired or is it ornamental. Any idea what bore it is?
Thanks for sharing this.

Re: the grip. I have no idea, but I believe the barrel has been shortened as there is no front sight, and the edges appear to be 'too squared'. Perhaps it suffered damage of the muzzle at some point? The bore appears to be .50.

 

[JH1961]

More pics:

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

Whatever it is, it's neat.

-Smokey

 

[Dusty_Traveler]

Are those riflings I see? Are they straight or spiral cut? Very cool piece!!!

Looks like British and Belgian proof stampings on the breech.

 

[Eric Krewson]

The rifling is showing, not a smoothbore.

 

[Tenring]

I really like that weathered patina look it gives the rifle an old friend appearance to them.

 

[JH1961]

Are those riflings I see? Are they straight or spiral cut? Very cool piece!!!

Looks like British and Belgian proof stampings on the breech.

I will take a closer look. If it's rifled, why are there no sights or provisions for sights? Anyone care to place a tentative value on it? A friend of mine is interested in it.

 

[JH1961]

I really like that weathered patina look it gives the rifle an old friend appearance to them.

Like I stated earlier: it feels 'alive' in my hands.

 

[Clark Badgett]

Very much Belgian made. Nice gun. Could have been brought here to trade with the natives or for the trade with anyone else through a hardware store or sporting goods dealer.

 

[JH1961]

A friend of mine confirmed it is .62.

 

[Dusty_Traveler]

I will take a closer look. If it's rifled, why are there no sights or provisions for sights? Anyone care to place a tentative value on it? A friend of mine is interested in it.

My guess is that it is straight rifled. You would sight it just like a shotgun

This way you could:

1. load a tightly patched ball (more velocity) for big game.

2. still effectively shoot shot. (No spiral to distort the pattern)

 

[JH1961]

My guess is that it is straight rifled. You would sight it just like a shotgun

This way you could:

1. load a tightly patched ball (more velocity) for big game.

2. still effectively shoot shot. (No spiral to distort the pattern)

That makes sense.

 

[08Desert Trapper]

I will take a closer look. If it's rifled, why are there no sights or provisions for sights? Anyone care to place a tentative value on it? A friend of mine is interested in it.

Try to find something that looks like that on the different antique guns sites

You have gunbroker.com, IMA
Or you can just type antique muzzleloaders for sale

Look at the quality of the guns compare them to the quality of your gun and that should give you the most honest value

Years ago, I had a paper cartridge 1851 sharps and 54 caliber

A buddy of mine really liked it. He traded me an old bold action 30 Ott six

And gave me 200 bucks on top of it

The 30 ott 6 was really a piece of crap and I admit I was a little bit into the cups

A couple weeks later I went on GunBroker and some other sites that sell antique guns or black powder guns that are repro and I saw a sharps just like mine. Gane sold for $1200. I basically gave away that gun for a crappy bold action rifle that although was made in World War II, I doubt ever went to World War II. It just saw no service in the back of a leaky closet.

Do your research and it’s OK to give a friend a little bit of help but nothings cheaper anymore I don’t care who gets elected in November make as much money as you can enjoy life as much as you can!!

Charles balding

Rutherford’s Rangers

Senior private

 

[JH1961]

Thnx.

 

[Packrat]

I went to a gun show and there was a 1863 Sharps rifle with bayonet, I thought it was a replica, no it was original and sold for &1800.00, Right next to it was another, maybe 50% bluing, beat up stock, buyers had woke up after the first one and this sold for $4500.00

 

[bpd303]

I will take a closer look. If it's rifled, why are there no sights or provisions for sights? Anyone care to place a tentative value on it? A friend of mine is interested in it.

I bought one very similar to that one in 2012 of Gunbroker for $250 U.S. It didn't have the tacks or wrist wrap (which I like) but was a good shooter. If you figure inflation it probably would be close to $300 / 350 today.

 

[Brazos John]

Just to confirm the Belgian connection:
There is a Proof Stamp from Liege (E over LG over Star in an Oval) in Photo 3.
That particular stamp was used for a certain period (unknown to me), so you could confirm your date, or at least within a range of dates.
I've been to Liege, and I get all excited when I see the stamp on a barrel.

However, that Proof Stamp does not confirm that the firearm was fabricated in Belgium, only that it was proofed there. Someone mentioned an English stamp (beyond my knowledge), so that means something. Maybe someone will recognize a detail to help determine the history. Enjoy your quest for knowledge!

Or, do you already know the history? If so, tell us about it!

 

[JH1961]

I'm learning everything I know from you guys.