J.M. Adcock ‘Bear Rifle’

[Flintlock Fellow]

Good evening to the forum! Is anyone here familiar with J.M. Adcock? I just picked up a ‘Bear Rifle’ in .62 caliber and have been unable to find any information aside from the fact they made barrels for Pedersoli at one point. I had to rush out the door, but I’ll get some proper photos tomorrow.

I don’t see any maker’s marks beyond what’s shown. Thanks in advance!

 

[Dusty_Traveler]

That rifle was built by Mike Adcock, Doddridge Arkansas. He is a friend of the family. He hasn't built anything or even done any shooting lately. His eyesight has been failing. He built several large bore Hawken style rifles over the years.

 

[rmefbowhunter]

Mike Adcock built me a custom left hand .62 cal percussion pistol grip Hawken in 1992 that I still have. It was named “Elk Rifle” and it lived up to its name on three occasions. Beautiful rifle, very accurate. Mike was a great guy to work with. You will likely get a great deal of enjoyment out of your “Bear Rifle”.

 

[Flintlock Fellow]

I know it’s been a good long while since I first posted this thread, but here’s a photo of the rifle in the wild. I took it elk hunting during muzzleloader season here. I came away empty-handed, but it was as a great experience nonetheless!

 

[longcruise]

Dang, how long is that barrel?

 

[Gtrubicon]

Good grief that is one awesome rifle!

 

[Flintlock Fellow]

Dang, how long is that barrel?

It’s approximately 38”.

 

[longcruise]

Looks way longer in the picture

 

[Flintlock Fellow]

Looks way longer in the picture

The distorting wonders of wide angle photography.

It’s an absolute beast of a rifle—no doubt about it. While it’s not the heaviest I’ve ever owned, calling it “lightweight” at 12 pounds would be like calling a hippo “petite.” After a day spent hauling it around the forest… well, let’s just say it had me questioning my life choices. The heft certainly helps to tame those heavier charges though.

 

[andy52]

I knew a guy who had one very similar he bought it to use as a post-gun.

 

[reddogge]

Good looking rifle.

 

[[email protected]]

Excellent sight radius though....

 

[Flintlock Fellow]

A post-gu

I knew a guy who had one very similar he bought it to use as a post-gun.

A post-gun, eh? I’m not quite familiar with that term. Is that a gun that’s used primarily for postal matches?

I picked this one up from a local antique store of all places— one of those that has a variety of different vendors that pay commission and/or rent in order to have a space. Apparently it belonged to a gentleman who was getting up there in years and out of Buckskinning. This was supposedly his hunting rifle and he claimed to have taken numerous elk with it.

 

[andy52]

A post-gun, eh? I’m not quite familiar with that term. Is that a gun that’s used primarily for postal matches?

a post-match is a type of competition at some muzzleloader clubs and rendezvous.
It's a group shoot, consisting of 5 team members a 4x4 post is put in the ground upright and the goal is to shoot it in half. The first team to do so wins so bigger is better a .62 will take a post down in short order if the shooter does their part.