Help ID Half Stock Percussion Rifle

[loaderlover]

Hello Need help identifying this half stock percussion .32 caliber rifle. Don't know any history of this rifle other than my grandfather bought this in the 1960's from a man who had this in his attic. Lock is marked N. Ashmore.

 

[TFoley]

It's a beautiful and original rifle, probably made for a boy or a young man.

 

[Gtrubicon]

Holy moly that’s what I like to see!

 

[loaderlover]

Yes I really like the wood in the patch box

 

[Phil Coffins]

Ashmore is the maker of the lock like Goodyear on a tire. Look carefully at the top of the barrel between the breech and the rear sight for a name. It maybe faint but don’t rub on the barrel with any thing other than your finger, steel wool would reduce the value of this fine rifle.

 

[Urban Coyote]

Wow! What a wonderful gun. My wife and I spent about ten minutes going over the photographs. She commented on the design at the muzzle. I found the wear plate interesting. Thank you for sharing this, very cool.

 

[Gtrubicon]

What area was Your Grand father in when he purchased this rifle?

 

[loaderlover]

In central Pennsylvania. Ashmore is the lock manufacture just wondering if any gunmaker used ashmore locks with the unique wood inlay on the patchbox. My grandfather owned a gun store from the 40's thru the 1969 when my father took it over. Dad told me he paid $50 for the gun.

 

[deerstalkert]

that is a gun one could be very proud to own! beautiful.

 

[loaderlover]

Thank you

 

[oldwood]

Very nice rifle. Restored a couple similar to it in the 1970's.

 

[Bucks Co]

Late percussion - very 'Vincent' like - gorgeous!!

 

[Secesh]

What a beautiful rifle! Wish I could find something similar in my attic!

 

[Rawhide67]

That wear plate under the forend makes me wonder if the drill for the ramrod got off track. Wouldn't be the first time something like that got covered up with an ornate plate.

Beautiful gun though, builder had skill. You might also try American Longrifle Forum for info on the gun. There seem to be members there who watched the Wright brothers fly their first plane and they remember all the details.

 

[rp77469]

My! That is a lovely rifle!!

 

[loaderlover]

Thanks for all the replies

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

Probably Ohio. 1860-70s

 

[Dusty_Traveler]

What a great heirloom piece!! Much giggity!!!

 

[okawbow]

probably made in Pennsylvania 1850-1880 or so. Very nice condition. Likely replaced with a cartridge gun early on and put away with little use. I like these slim half stocks as much as the earlier flintlocks. There were hundreds of one or two man shops making rifles during this period. They had access to factory made gun parts and basically stocked up the parts like we do today. I’ll bet there is a makers mark somewhere on the rifle.

 

[Cajun72]

Very nice rifle