Thoughts on my 1840s rifle

[Drg]

I joined here after following this forum a while. I own an 1840s percussion rifle that i am wondering if it is of value worthy of sending to an auction house. The rifle has been off and on kept in useable condition. It has R.Holmes on both the barrel and the lock. The gun is described in a 1951 book,i can't recall the name of. The stock has several repairs and the barrel has (Remington cast steel) on the bottom side,it is half octagon and half round and very heavy.. I have shot the gun recently with patched balls around 40 caliber. The hammer screw is incorrect. I bought it years ago and was told that it was made in NY around 1840. Everything i have learned has led me to believe that this is correct. It obviously well used but shots well and looks presentable. It is the oldest gun i own. Any thoughts or information is appreciated.

 

[user 36911]

You shoot this gun? That's being brave.

 

[poker]

I dont know why he couldnt shoot it. Its a nice looking piece and looks like real good condition for its age. Some pictures of the lock and snail area would be nice.

 

[user 36911]

Because it's almost 200 years old.

Nothing wrong with it, You go first.

 

[okawbow]

I would keep it and shoot it as long as the breech plug and drum and nipple are safe and solid. The gun has only a modest value because of the repairs and style. The Remington steel barrel should be good.

 

[poker]

I would assume the owner inspected it or had it looked at by someone qualified, before shooting. I sure wouldnt fear a barrel simply because its 200 years old, if there were no indications of issues.

 

[appalichian hunter]

Nothing wrong with a gun 200 years old if it is still solid, I look for old guns and will go too them before a newer one.

 

[Drg]

You shoot this gun? That's being brave.

This is a heavy wall Remington steel barrel with no issues. It doesn't bother me a bit to shoot it. It has been used for a long time and still has good rifling.

 

[Drg]

I would keep it and shoot it as long as the breech plug and drum and nipple are safe and solid. The gun has only a modest value because of the repairs and style. The Remington steel barrel should be good.

I suspected that it wasn't worth much. I am considering restocking it,but if it had any historical value I didn't want to ruin it.

 

[user 36911]

This is a heavy wall Remington steel barrel with no issues. It doesn't bother me a bit to shoot it. It has been used for a long time and still has good rifling.

I was just thinking about the first time you shot it.

 

[Grimord]

Nothing wrong with a gun 200 years old if it is still solid, I look for old guns and will go too them before a newer one.

I have two guns built in the 1840's that were my Great Great Great Grandfathers. I shoot them often, and it gives me a sense of nostalgia to know that these guns have been in my family for over 200 years and are still being used.

 

[Drg]

I have two guns built in the 1840's that were my Great Great Great Grandfathers. I shoot them often, and it gives me a sense of nostalgia to know that these guns have been in my family for over 200 years and are still being used.

They look great!

 

[Drg]

I was just thinking about the first time you shot it.

I started with a cap only then worked my way up.

 

[Hiwallhunter]

I started with a cap only then worked my way up.

Smart! If there were obvious signs of metal failure it might have been a good idea to have it checked by a competent gunsmith. An acquaintance of mine bought a “barn gun”from a widow lady back in the late ‘60’s and was smart enough to brace it in a tire and touch it off via string pull… good thing as it ruptured and became junk in a fiery bang. Lesson learned! Gun did not look that bad come to think of it…

 

[SamTex1949]

I suspected that it wasn't worth much. I am considering restocking it,but if it had any historical value I didn't want to ruin it.

Well its worth more then maybe you believe !! looks like a great rifle !!

 

[TNBandit]

I've shot my 1790s Brown Bess that I rebuilt from a Nepal gun I purchased from IMA. Granted the first shot I had it sitting in a tire and pulled the trigger with a string...

 

[Drg]

Well its worth more then maybe you believe !! looks like a great rifle !!

This specific rifle is mentioned in a 1951? Book regarding American gun makers. R.Holmes from Osewago made it.

 

[Drg]

Well its worth more then maybe you believe !! looks like a great rifle !!

I love that this gun is specifically described in an early book about American gun makers. The barrel marking is correct for the 1840 time period as well.

 

[Drg]

I love that this gun is specifically described in an early book about American gun makers. The barrel marking is correct for the 1840 time period as well.

In another book the author mentions actually viewing the rifle in person around 1951.

 

[Drg]

Web search is pretty cool too.