ID help- PA style rifle signed "J.Rate" or "J.Bate"

[dunmore1774]

Hello, I would appreciate help any leads on the maker of this rifle or what school this may be. It is 57" overall- barrel is 42", appears to be just under .50 cal. Wood seems to be curly maple. Brass patchbox, toeplate, and brass piece on check side of butt, and plate under forestock. Silver like inlays- large half moon on cheek side of butt, small oval escutcheon, and eight semi cricles (four along each side of the stock extending along barrel.
Barrel is signed "J Rate" or "J Bate" with asterisk style star in between.
Let me know if any more pics or info needed. (and don't mind my toes and that my floor needs swept
Thanks for any assistance
Doug

 

[dunmore1774]

more pics

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Pretty sure the rifle is post 1865, and I'm thinking 20th century built. But it might be older, so moving to the Antique Firearms section.

LD

 

[OLUT]

It looks like an "Upper Susquehanna" style gun. Both Sellers' and Whisker' books list a JACOB RATE as a gunsmith in White Deer, Pa.... which I think is in Union County, so MAYBE he is your builder.. You might try doing a bit of research on him to verify.

 

[dunmore1774]

Many thanks for the help! I found him listed as a gunsmith in White Deer in 1861, and still trying to narrow down the correct person in the genealogical databases. It would be nice to see another piece by him, but not seeing anything online yet.

 

[Dusty_Traveler]

That is a fine antique piece you have there. Congrats! The lock has been converted from flint to percussion at some point, and the lock plate has been cleaned moderately. If the lock plate is original to the rest of the gun, its definitely pre-1865, but parts like that are known to be recycled.

What's the condition of the bore and rifling?

That rifle would most likely make a heck of a shooter if you had the time or the notion to work it over.

Cheers!

 

[dunmore1774]

Thanks! The rifling is strong as far down as I can see (pic below). The lock seems to be original to piece, nice tight fit and if so, I'm guessing pre-1840? I'm guessing that would be the era seeing conversions, if similar to military weapons?

 

[Dusty_Traveler]

Thanks! The rifling is strong as far down as I can see (pic below). The lock seems to be original to piece, nice tight fit and if so, I'm guessing pre-1840? I'm guessing that would be the era seeing conversions, if similar to military weapons?

 

[Dusty_Traveler]

That vent pick stowage under the cheek rest also speaks to the rifle originally being a flintlock.