Help Identifying Flintlock

[Nodakr]

Hey everybody, new to these forums but not to muzzleloading.

Yesterday I came across this exceptionally well made flintlock in a local pawn shop. I have not stripped down yet, but there are absolutely no identifying marks anywhere other than what appears to be an “A” inside a circle, located on the stock, under the set trigger.

It does have a wooden slide cover for patches etc, much like a Pedersoli Jâger, but the craftsmanship is a notch or 2 better.

It is extremely w

 

[Nodakr]

A few more pics

 

[jackpine54]

I have no info, but it's beautiful gun!

 

[Cattywompuss]

Dunno, but it must have been loved because it is both well crafted and has a peep sight installed by someone who wanted to actually shoot it. Can't remember who does that sort of round bottom rifling with a recessed crown, but I have a .50 barrel that looks the same. In fact, it's my profile pic.

 

[BoomStick]

Looks to be a neatly fitted contemporary gun. There are lots of good hobby/amateur builders that do very good work, but don't sign them. I have one like that, and also with round bottom rifling that I suspect is a Rice or Colerain barrel. Shoots very well.

 

[Okie Hog]

That's a very nice rifle.

 

[Johnny Tremain]

Dang Purdy, and you dont own it yet.

 

[Nodakr]

Oh I own it most definitely, wasn’t letting that one slip by.

Looks to be a neatly fitted contemporary gun. There are lots of good hobby/amateur builders that do very good work, but don't sign them. I have one like that, and also with round bottom rifling that I suspect is a Rice or Colerain barrel. Shoots very well.

So there are some hobby guys out there, that go that far in their wood carving ?! If so, thats impressive !!! Like I said it looks like a Pedersoli, but the wood work is hands above n beyond that.

So with the style of bore, whats the best way to identify caliber ? Since it is not stamped anywhere…

 

[Cattywompuss]

Oh I own it most definitely, wasn’t letting that one slip by.


So there are some hobby guys out there, that go that far in their wood carving ?! If so, thats impressive !!! Like I said it looks like a Pedersoli, but the wood work is hands above n beyond that.

So with the style of bore, whats the best way to identify caliber ? Since it is not stamped anywhere…

A micrometer will tell you the caliber in seconds. Land to land or groove to groove.

 

[Cattywompuss]

That ain't a Pedersoli. Lots of guys try their hand at carving and engraving. All but one of my guns were built by "somebody" but not by known builders. And they are all very well done. Some better than others. Funnily enough, some hobbyists today are as good or better than well known smith's of the 17th century.

 

[BoomStick]

Other than pulling the lock for cleaning and inspection, I would not recommend further disassembly unless there's a known problem. But definitely many talented people building guns, lots of them on this forum.

 

[Cattywompuss]

Other than pulling the lock for cleaning and inspection, I would not recommend further disassembly unless there's a known problem. But definitely many talented people building guns, lots of them on this forum.

Only adendum I would add is that my .40 came to me second hand and was in fantastic shape externally and the bore. But I decided to pull the barrel from the stock and the underside was very rusty. Had to use naval jelly to clean the pits out. So, that rifle looks fine. But a fine looking rifle can have issues.

 

[Nodakr]

Ok wow, just sitting here this evening and researching this rifle and just the subject in general, has blown my mind. Ive shot muzzleloader for years…..but I didn't realize the quality of work hobbiests put into their stuff !! Some AMAZING stuff out there !!

 

[duca]

Wow! Nice score for sure. Take the lock out and And clean it well. Then oil it in all the right places. I’d pull the barrel clean the bore thoroughly and wipe it down with oil. Then go get it dirty

Anthony

 

[Nodakr]

Wow! Nice score for sure. Take the lock out and And clean it well. Then oil it in all the right places. I’d pull the barrel clean the bore thoroughly and wipe it down with oil. Then go get it dirty

Anthony

I already have images in my head of the first deer tag I’ll fill with this beauty !!

 

[duca]

Is that like Visions of sugarplums dancing in your head. Lol...Yeah but seriously take her apart cleaner good and take it to the range. Then start thinking about that deer.

Anthony

 

[Nodakr]

So i pulled the lock assembly out, and seeing how tight the tolerances are on how well this rifle is put together, and the tiny little roll pins thru-out, I stopped right where I was at……cleaned and lubed the lock, and reassembled. I know my limits lol.

Anybody recognize the stamping on the lock assembly ? Or the design of the trigger guard ?

 

[BoomStick]

Trigger guard, and rifle in general, look like a typical Lancaster style. Builder did some c-scroll carvings to maybe imitate an original, but I don't recognize it as one of the more common ones copied.

 

[hawkeye2]

Larry Zornes Mold & Gun Shop lock.

 

[Nodakr]

Trigger guard, and rifle in general, look like a typical Lancaster style. Builder did some c-scroll carvings to maybe imitate an original, but I don't recognize it as one of the more common ones copied.

I actually looked at Lancasters, both new and old, and there is some that look similar…..similar, but the hardware is still different. And if hand carved it was skilled, because enough wood had to be removed thru-out, to give it an overlay look.

i may reach out to the Jim Chambers page, etc tomorrow. Ironically what I found that looks a lot like it is a period mid 1700s. Man some of these reproductions are done well !!