Ohio half stock rifle

[Crewdawg445]

Hi all, not sure if this particular rifle is pre 1865, yet the barrel is marked 1857... Anywho, I've got the option of purchasing this rifle off a coworker tomorrow for $200.00. It's definitely an old Ohio half stock, and being I live in Ohio is a plus! Going to give her a look over and maybe seal the deal. What do you all think via the pics? Certainly is beautiful! Any additional info someone may have pertaining to this?

 

[JonnyReb3]

What a beauty! Well worth the money...such great condition it seems to be in. I've a good friend named J.(jack) Hefner...he'd be real interested in that name...gotta ask him where his people came from up that way.

 

[bpd303]

Beautiful rifle in immaculate condition. I wouldn't hesitate about that one. The price is give away. Here is some info on Ohio Gunsmiths. Down on page 6 is a J. Hefner full stock. http://www.aolrc.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/vol-iv-no-1-feb-1982.pdf

 

[Crewdawg445]

I've fondled this particular rifle once... from what I remember it's gorgeous. I'm very excited about snagging her! Not sure of the bore condition, he's unsure as well, he doesn't really deal with front loader's so it's a 50/50 on that one.

 

[Richard Brinkman]

I'm certainly not an expert but that looks to me like some old parts put into new wood? But for worth the money. The stain and finish looks modern to me.

RB

 

[rickystl]

At $200.00 - BUY IT!! :haha: Rick. :hatsoff:

 

[hawkeye2]

" I've got the option of purchasing this rifle." No you don't, it is a must buy and not an option. I believe it is a recent restock of old parts as others have said but no matter, it is a steal at that price.

 

[Crewdawg445]

Not completely sure if she's parted out... honestly from looking at the rifle quickly the first time around it definitely didn't appear to be. None the less, she's awful perdy! Came from a private collection, it definitely is in the condition the pictures show!

 

[bpd303]

I wouldn't worry about the bore too much. Easy to refresh a bad one.

 

[Crewdawg445]

Never done it with a front loader... if it comes up being less than desirable, what's the course of action to get it back into shooting shape?

 

[S.Kenton]

I'd give you 200 for it and RUN.. just from looking at the photos I'd say it's been re-stocked for sure..but still a BEAUTIFUL rifle!

 

[bpd303]

That would depend upon how bad it is. The first step I would do is wrap some Chore Boy copper scrubber around a under size bore brush and scrub the bore with Kroil or a mix of 50/50 transmission fluid & acetone. If it is really pitted and doesn't shoot well it could be sent out to one of the barrel makers, Bobby Hoyt is who I would use. This thread has some on resurrecting a bore. http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/...292641/post/1452472/hl//fromsearch/1/#1452472

 

[Zonie]

Towards the end of this link on page 6 is a rifle built by J. Hefner, Marian, Ohio.
It is a pdf file so you will need to have Adobe installed to open it.
http://www.aolrc.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/vol-iv-no-1-feb-1982.pdf

The barrel looks to be an original but the stock is obviously newly made.

If the bore is even badly damaged the gun is worth far more than the price mentioned. Excellent find. :thumbsup:

 

[Crewdawg445]

Great! Thanks for that link Zonie, good reading! I'll have her broken down tomorrow evening and give her a good thorough once over. Last thing I remember of this rifle, it truly is as the pictures show! Thanks for the advice bpd303, hopefully all will check out well in that department. :thumbsup:

 

[Crewdawg445]

Just got it this morning, man is it pretty! Someone definitely has taken care of this rifle. However, the bore upon inspection certainly looks nasty, can't make out any rifling... not entirely sure if it's even rifled. I'm going to take everything apart and soak the parts in kroil for a week or so. Stock honestly looks original to the rifle, if it has been restocked it was done very professionally and a long while ago. Lock was seized, the tumbler was actually very lightly rusted to the lock plate keeping the cock from falling forward. I've already taken the lock apart and all the internal parts are soaking in kroil at this moment. Everything should clean up very nicely, just a little worried about that bore... I do want to shoot her!

 

[Crewdawg445]

Broke the rifle down this evening and cleaned everything up. Didn't polish the brass as I don't want to do anything to deface the historic value of the rifle. Without a doubt it certainly is one of the oldest rifles I've owned, let alone hold in my hands. The bore however is rather nasty looking... plugged the nipple and filled the bore up with kroil to soak. I'm 100% positive it's a smooth bore, can't find any indication of rifling. I've also found the lock is marked D. P&A Co. No. 5, this is on the back of the lock plate in the top right near the bolster. Besides that and the barrel markings, no other proofs or stampings are present. Everything about this rifle is just so neat! For being a 158 years old tomorrow, I'm rather excited!!!

 

[19 16 6]

Lucky dawg.
$200 :shocked2: You need to repent your thieving ways.
O.

 

[Crewdawg445]

Lol, he knew it was worth more and had several other offers. However, he held true to his word of letting me have it for the price he purchased it at. Also, he knew I'd appreciate it and value the history surrounding it's origins.

 

[Grumpa]

You must be living right! That's a real beauty.
Bore size?

 

[rickystl]

First of all, congrats on the purchase! Heck of a deal! :thumbsup:
From the photos, the stock does look like it was replaced, or refinished at some point (?). But doesn't really matter in this case. We want turn this gun back into a shooter. The barrel may have originally been rifled, and changed to a smooth bore sometime back in the period. This was not uncommon. If the bore won't clean up satisfactorily using home methods, you can send the barrel to Bobby Hoyt and have it professionally burnished. While there, you could have him add rifling to the original barrel, or drilled out a little more and have a new steel liner added in your choice of caliber and twist. I've had this done many times to great satisfaction. However, his turn-around time could be anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months. His services are in great demand. And he does terrific work. So, you have options here.
Again, congrats on a great find and super deal. Thanks for Posting. Do keep us updated on your progress. Rick. :hatsoff: