Joseph Golcher rifle

[Andrewmtnman]

Four "Clark" gunsmiths in Missouri prior to 1900. Without a first name nor initial, it'd be hard to pinpoint the actual maker. Golcher made/sold many, many locks for a long time. That peep sight is quite interesting. Would like to see the rear sight, front sight, and the muzzle. Can't tell if this was fitted for a false muzzle, nor what type of rifling tho' your photos are quite good. Neat rifle. Mother's maiden name is Clark, always interested in "Clark" stuff.

Sorry about the double pics. Best I can make out for first initials is “oro” or ofo
Thanks for the input

 

[sheriff john]

Wow. It keeps getting better. Clark as a Missouri gunsmith may be a shot in the dark. "M.O. Clark" has a percussiion pistol noted (Only one with an "o" in his name. Mathias Clark was a journeyman gunsmith there, contemporary to Sam Hawken. There were quite a few St. Louis gunsmiths prior to 1900. That muzzle, peep sight, and overall quality of the rifle indicate to me someone wanted a high-end rifle and spared no expense. May have had some sort of "false muzzle" to go with it at one time.

Gun has real value in original condition. Altering it in any way will lessen value.

 

[Mtman725]

That's a fine old smoke pole, hope you get it shooting.

 

[poker]

Its a beauty. I mistook your first pictures of peep thinking they were adjusting aperature size with the slides. I see now thats not the case. Its one size but adjustable position. Perhaps it used to have more blades for different sized apperatures.

 

[smoothshooter]

Hello, my dad has a Golcher cap lock rifle. He has had it for a decade and hasn’t shot it. We would like to, however, we are not to sure of the appropriate load to use. The rifled barrel measures .375, I believe. There don’t seem to be any markings on the barrel. Anybody have some thoughts. I’m gonna try to upload a pic or two if I can figure it out. Lol. I am somewhat familiar with shooting a .45 cva style percussion rifle but more like a novice. View attachment 113571

 

[smoothshooter]

Hello, my dad has a Golcher cap lock rifle. He has had it for a decade and hasn’t shot it. We would like to, however, we are not to sure of the appropriate load to use. The rifled barrel measures .375, I believe. There don’t seem to be any markings on the barrel. Anybody have some thoughts. I’m gonna try to upload a pic or two if I can figure it out. Lol. I am somewhat familiar with shooting a .45 cva style percussion rifle but more like a novice. View attachment 113571

“ One grain per caliber “ rule of thumb.
Always a good starting point. Work up from there.

 

[Andrewmtnman]

Wow, all great info guys! I just ordered some small things needed to clean bore and scrape the breech plug, ramrod tip etc. once that is done I’ll give her a go.
Any idea why there would have been, what appears to me, an additional dovetail cut into the barrel behind the front sight?

 

[SamTex1949]

Having a round muzzle seems to indicate it might of had a slip over false muzzle for loading ! some did work that way where others used pins that fit in holes of the barrel. Hope others who are more into false muzzle target shooters (like this one I believe) will share. this is just an example.

 

[Andrewmtnman]

Oh wow, so what is it’s purpose? Never saw one of those before. Love learning this stuff

 

[Andrewmtnman]

Never mind, I see you said for loading. So there must be a hole through its top that I can’t see

 

[pilot]

You may have a rifle with a lot of value. The more I see, the more I like! How about more detail pictures with better light, please?

 

[Buckskinquin]

Hello, my dad has a Golcher cap lock rifle. He has had it for a decade and hasn’t shot it. We would like to, however, we are not to sure of the appropriate load to use. The rifled barrel measures .375, I believe. There don’t seem to be any markings on the barrel. Anybody have some thoughts. I’m gonna try to upload a pic or two if I can figure it out. Lol. I am somewhat familiar with shooting a .45 cva style percussion rifle but more like a novice. View attachment 113571

My father found a Golcher lock on a rifle in the mid 1950’s, no where in as good condition as yours. Looks like a rear or back action lock, his sons made more conventional cap locks. My research indicates Josh Golcher was a locksmith in Philadelphia 1810–1860, and shipped locks wherever they were ordered. I did fit everything into a new stock and shoot it in competitions, 50 cal smoothbore. Powder charge recommended sounds right, a .365 or .370 patched round ball lubed with your choice. I’d start with a loose fit, then spend a few days at the range benching and getting to know your gun. Start at 25 yds, then work farther distances. Good luck, looks like a great rifle and Josh’s workmanship so long ago continues to amaze me.

 

[GREENSWLDE]

Load for my .378"(9.6mm) was 40grns C&H (ICI) Canister 2 with .375" swaged ball &.006"cotton patch,shallow rifled. Still Sonic at 100yds.. Gave me 96,97's on PL7 targets Off hand. Couldn't hold it steady now so sold it to a younger person to have fun with..OLD DOG..

 

[Josephg]

Been a long time since reading about Golcher. He was a prolific lock supplier and he did make rifles, I think. The turned muzzle is commonly found on picket rifles. I'm sure RB rifles also had the feature. Neat old rifle! If the twist is fast like 30-40 inches it is made to shoot a patched picket bullet/picket ball/sugarloaf... if a picket twist, could be gain twist.

 

[Andrewmtnman]

Cleaning her up today, finally got the jag etc. the nipple looks original, a bit wrinkled on the bottom side from what appears to be from the hammer strike. It came out easily, thankfully! I’d like to put in a new one, obviously keeping the old one. Any suggestions on what to put in this gun. Not sure what thread size it is or if they are standard.

 

[Andrewmtnman]

Also, any idea on why there would be two front dovetails cut in?

 

[deerstalkert]

with that rear peep sight i'd would bet the dovetail with the blank in it was for a globe type front sight.
someone used that gun in competition/turkey shoots. treat that gem carefully.

 

[Phil Coffins]

The extra dovetail may of been for a sprite level. Take the nipple to a machine shop or gun smith and have them measure it and the thread pitch. The length is also important to get the correct nipple. Check the pitch of the rifling to see if it was made to shoot ball or bullet.

 

[rusty]

what stain did you use

 

[Grimord]

Cleaning her up today, finally got the jag etc. the nipple looks original, a bit wrinkled on the bottom side from what appears to be from the hammer strike. It came out easily, thankfully! I’d like to put in a new one, obviously keeping the old one. Any suggestions on what to put in this gun. Not sure what thread size it is or if they are standard.

My Golcher percussion rifle takes a 12 X 28 nipple. These are a common size for Old Army Handguns and can be found at TOW.