Identification help

[TXgunNut]

Hello,
Just joined, hoping someone can help solve this mystery for my dad and I.
We received this old percussion cap rifle that my grandad had. He had no information on it except that it had been in the family forever. I can only find one marking that is discernible. If anyone can provide any information it would be greatly appreciated. I have looked through the internet and have not been able to find this mark, or maybe I have just missed it. Thank you in for taking the time to read this and look.

 

[PastorB]

Austrian M1854 Lorenz Rifle, imported by the thousands for the American Civil War. Your rifle appears to have been sporterized for hunting purposes. Judging from the lack of a rear sight, the rifling has also probably been reamed out to be used as a smoothbore shotgun. Many Civil War muskets of all varieties were altered in this manner to provide a cheap, yet perfectly serviceable, bunny and bird getter. Originally was a .54 caliber rifle, maybe then increased to .58 rifle, for the standard issue Minie bullet before being turned into a shotgun. Not much collector value monetarily, but I would treasure it as a family heirloom that almost certainly saw combat service and then provided dinner for someone after it's military service. To me that it is much more interesting than a pristine gun that never did much of anything. Mark on lockplate is the standard symbol of Austrian Empire. Do a search for M1854 Lorenz. There were also a much lower number of 1862 Lorenz rifles imported, which are quite similiar.

 

[TXgunNut]

THANK YOU!!!! I completely agree that the family heirloom is way more important. Value means nothing to us. We have several that have just been in the family and will never get rid of them.
I cannot thank you enough and can't wait to tell my dad when I see him today.
Shane

 

[PastorB]

You're welcome!! I'd take that thing out and shoot it, if it is in good mechanical condition. Black powder is pretty forgiving from a safety standpoint. I hunt with original muskets from that same era, and I shoot clay targets with a M1842 .69 caliber smoothbore. WAY cooler than a modern shotgun. If your gun has been reamed to a smoothbore, it will probably be about 20 gauge, wads and such are readily available. Or just do what I do in my 20 gauge, I just use 75 grains of powder and 1 and 1/8 ounce of shot. Wadding is pretty much whatever is handy; leaves, grass, tow, fiber, etc. You want slightly more shot by volume than powder for best patterns. Give it a whirl!

 

[Sam squanch]

I have one of those. I think Bannerman sporterized these and sold them. Mine patterns great!