Info on builder

[Rawhide67]

A friend has a late 1800’s muzzleloader in nice condition that he may be willing to sell me. Builder is James Buswell from Glens Falls NY. Can’t really find any info about him or a good idea of the value of the gun. Any info on the builder or value is appreciated.

 

[Stykbow]

I can’t offer any relevant info, but I do have a couple of questions. What’s up with the two holes drilled in the barrel in pic #4? Do they go all the way thru to the bore? Looks like someone tried to side mount a scope at some point. It’s still a pretty nice looking rifle, but those holes may hurt the value.

 

[Rawhide67]

Old, threaded, shallow holes from some type of peep sight is my guess, current owner referred to it as a picket rifle. Which apparently means faster twist meant for conical, not round balls.

 

[desi23]

Muzzle turned round makes me suspect it once had a bullet guide for starting the bullet into the barrel. If there are any holes for alignment pins in the end of the muzzle that would confirm it. The threaded holes in the barrel may have once held a peep target sight. Lack of a bullet guide and the target sights does affect the value a bit on guns of this type. Such rifles were set up for target work with pointed bullets, not round ball.

 

[Rawhide67]

Desi23, any ball park idea on value? I didn’t notice any pin holes around the muzzle, but wasn’t really leaking for any. Still trying to come up with a bore light mechanism so I’ll inspect the muzzle at that point.