ignorance of muzzleloading

[walruskid1]

looked at a percussion bench gun today at a local shop. it is an original heavy bench gun. barrel was at least 3" in dia. i couldn't tell the caliber because the false muzzle was in place and they wouldn't let me remove it. spirit level front sight, vernier tang rear sight, tapered false muzzle lending the appearance of large caliber tapering down to approx .40 cal. set triggers. the counterman then told me it was either a line throwing gun or a harpoon gun. maybe a rifle to put on a train to shoot buffalo, they didn't know for sure. i asked what they wanted for it but they couldn't tell me. i know its a target rifle, try telling them that. i left.

 

[musketman]

the counterman then told me it was either a line throwing gun or a harpoon gun. maybe a rifle to put on a train to shoot buffalo, they didn't know for sure. i asked what they wanted for it but they couldn't tell me. i left.

That seems highly unlikely, those guns wouldn't require a false muzzle...

I suspect it's a heavy barreled target rifle, many fine examples of these can be seen in Ned Roberts book: The Muzzleloading Cap Lock Rifle...

 

[Stumpkiller]

That seems highly unlikely, those guns wouldn't require a false muzzle...

Or set triggers. :haha:

Why, that there is maybe the very gun Ahab used to get a hook into Moby Dick. Aaaarrrr.

 

[walruskid1]

maybe buffalo bill used it from a moving train? :haha:

 

[Old Salt]

I thought a false muzzle would be the same caliber as the rifle. Isn't the purpose to be able to load the rifle without damaging the crown?

Old Salt

 

[walruskid1]

this was funnel shaped but bore sized at its smallest.

 

[fho]

Walruskid1:

It sound like it is a round ball bench gun.

Olie

 

[AZ-Robert]

i asked what they wanted for it but they couldn't tell me.

That is the most confusing part! Make them an offer -- you might get a bargain.

 

[davy]

looked at a percussion bench gun today at a local shop. it is an original heavy bench gun. barrel was at least 3" in dia. i couldn't tell the caliber because the false muzzle was in place and they wouldn't let me remove it. spirit level front sight, vernier tang rear sight, tapered false muzzle lending the appearance of large caliber tapering down to approx .40 cal. set triggers. the counterman then told me it was either a line throwing gun or a harpoon gun. maybe a rifle to put on a train to shoot buffalo, they didn't know for sure. i asked what they wanted for it but they couldn't tell me. i know its a target rifle, try telling them that. i left.

Did it look anything like this? :hmm:

Davy

 

[walruskid1]

it sure did, i want it, i want it, i want it. or one very similar. i think i'll call the shop in a day or two and ask if the formulated a price.

 

[wheelockhunter]

looked at a percussion bench gun today at a local shop. it is an original heavy bench gun. barrel was at least 3" in dia. i couldn't tell the caliber because the false muzzle was in place and they wouldn't let me remove it. spirit level front sight, vernier tang rear sight, tapered false muzzle lending the appearance of large caliber tapering down to approx .40 cal. set triggers. the counterman then told me it was either a line throwing gun or a harpoon gun. maybe a rifle to put on a train to shoot buffalo, they didn't know for sure. i asked what they wanted for it but they couldn't tell me. i know its a target rifle, try telling them that. i left.

Did it look anything like this? :hmm:

Davy

what the heck is that?

 

[TFoley]

It's an underhammer so-called slug gun.....

tac