Well, first off, your barrel may have been made by James Fordney or Jacob Fordney.
My little book on builders says:
Jacob Fordney: Contracted with the government Nov. 7, 1837, for 250 rifles for Indians at 13.00 each. Jacob Fordney is listed in the 1857 Lancaster, Pa., Directory. Same?
Dr. James B. Whisker says in his book "GUNSMITHS OF LANCASTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA" Jacob Fordney, Sr. was shown on the tax lists between 1789 and 1820 where, among other things he was listed as a gunsmith, skinner, whipmaker and was listed as being dead in the 1820 tax list.
Dr. Whisker also lists a Jacob Fordney, Jr. (c.1808-1878) as a Lancaster gunsmith in 1829 and 1834-1838. It is this gunsmith that the first comments were made about. He was still making guns in 1860 when he had 4 employees and his shop shows up in records as late as 1876.
He may have been related to Melchior Fordney of Lancaster, Pa however Dr Whisker does not show a direct relationship in his book.
Melchior Fordney is a well known maker of Pennsylvania Rifles and many of his fine guns are shown in a number of different books.
James Fordney: Unidentified. Flintlock and percussion Kentucky Rifles.
Of course there is no proof that either of these gunsmiths had anything to do with the barrel you purchased but I thought you might find the information interesting.
You didn't mention if this barrel is round, octagon or a combination of both.
IMO, this would have a great deal of influence on the style of gun you end up building although the presence of the ramrod thimbles would indicate that it would be a Half stock style.
Then again, I've seen barrels which were most likely made for a full stock rifle that had thimbles brazed or dovetailed into them at a later period. (Unlike most true half stock rifles, these thimbles were attached directly to the barrel instead of being attached to a rib which is attached to the barrel.)
As for whether to use the existing drum or to convert it to a flintlock, that of course is your decision. I will say that IMO building a flintlock is usually easier to do because the alignment of the lock/**** with the vent is not as critical as the alignment of a lock/hammer with a existing drum.
As the tang is damaged, is it possible to true up the broken end with a file? I assume you don't have the broken end, and even if you do there may be a problem with welding it back onto the breech plug. I say this because there is a good possibility that the breech is made of iron instead of steel and this may cause a problem. If you try to have it welded, be sure to tell the welder about the possibility of it being pure iron as it may affect his choice of rod material.
By the way, if you have more information may I suggest that you start a separate post so that this one doesn't get too far off track?
Thanks.
zonie
My little book on builders says:
Jacob Fordney: Contracted with the government Nov. 7, 1837, for 250 rifles for Indians at 13.00 each. Jacob Fordney is listed in the 1857 Lancaster, Pa., Directory. Same?
Dr. James B. Whisker says in his book "GUNSMITHS OF LANCASTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA" Jacob Fordney, Sr. was shown on the tax lists between 1789 and 1820 where, among other things he was listed as a gunsmith, skinner, whipmaker and was listed as being dead in the 1820 tax list.
Dr. Whisker also lists a Jacob Fordney, Jr. (c.1808-1878) as a Lancaster gunsmith in 1829 and 1834-1838. It is this gunsmith that the first comments were made about. He was still making guns in 1860 when he had 4 employees and his shop shows up in records as late as 1876.
He may have been related to Melchior Fordney of Lancaster, Pa however Dr Whisker does not show a direct relationship in his book.
Melchior Fordney is a well known maker of Pennsylvania Rifles and many of his fine guns are shown in a number of different books.
James Fordney: Unidentified. Flintlock and percussion Kentucky Rifles.
Of course there is no proof that either of these gunsmiths had anything to do with the barrel you purchased but I thought you might find the information interesting.
You didn't mention if this barrel is round, octagon or a combination of both.
IMO, this would have a great deal of influence on the style of gun you end up building although the presence of the ramrod thimbles would indicate that it would be a Half stock style.
Then again, I've seen barrels which were most likely made for a full stock rifle that had thimbles brazed or dovetailed into them at a later period. (Unlike most true half stock rifles, these thimbles were attached directly to the barrel instead of being attached to a rib which is attached to the barrel.)
As for whether to use the existing drum or to convert it to a flintlock, that of course is your decision. I will say that IMO building a flintlock is usually easier to do because the alignment of the lock/**** with the vent is not as critical as the alignment of a lock/hammer with a existing drum.
As the tang is damaged, is it possible to true up the broken end with a file? I assume you don't have the broken end, and even if you do there may be a problem with welding it back onto the breech plug. I say this because there is a good possibility that the breech is made of iron instead of steel and this may cause a problem. If you try to have it welded, be sure to tell the welder about the possibility of it being pure iron as it may affect his choice of rod material.
By the way, if you have more information may I suggest that you start a separate post so that this one doesn't get too far off track?
Thanks.
zonie
