Unknown Gun - .36 caliber

[WVU]

Apologies in advance if this gun is not a Pre- 1865 gun. I did not see another sub forum listed for identifying guns newer than 1865...I also have no idea the age or really anything about the gun and was hoping someone here might have some thoughts based on the photos.

This was given to me yesterday and belonged to my wife's late father. No idea where/when he obtained it or who sold/gave it to him.

I'm fairly confident it is a .36 caliber as there was powder, patches and .36 caliber rounds balls with it.

I'm hoping to figure out an approx age, make/model of the gun

The only markings are the ones shown in the photos









Again I'm sorry if this is the incorrect spot within the forums for this post and thank your for any insight any might have on the rifle.

 

Looks like a poorly made kit?

 

[azmntman]

I don't think it looks poorly made at all. What markings on the side of the barrel? In any case a cherhised family heirloom :thumbsup: . Learn what ya can, clean and shoot! BTW MAKE SURE ITS NOT LOADED. Place the ram rod in the barrel and see if it goes down to the breach. More pics please!

 

[WVU]

I don't think it looks poorly made at all. What markings on the side of the barrel? In any case a cherhised family heirloom :thumbsup: . Learn what ya can, clean and shoot! BTW MAKE SURE ITS NOT LOADED. Place the ram rod in the barrel and see if it goes down to the breach. More pics please!

No other markings on the sides of the barrrl. Only markings are the "J. Hech" on the barrel and "14" ontop the breech. I would be ecstatic if it were a homemade kit. Having something handmade of her Late father would be priceless.

One of the first things I did was check for a load and it appears to be empty.

He definitely used it for its purpose and it is by no means a safe queen. However, the bore, trigger guard, and components appear to have been kept clean/maintained.

I'll post up some more photos

 

[don hepler]

You are posted in the correct place. We are just discussing guns and other things, that are in keeping with traditional styles, etc. Although there are some originals on here, most are modern interpretations of those items. No inlines, etc.

What I see, is a home built walnut stocked rifle, with what appears to be a large Siler lock and built in a Southern Mountain style.

 

[WVU]

The barrel measured right at 41" and the trigger gave a very consistent pull at just a hair over 1lb (5 pulls measured exact same every time)

 

[don hepler]

The butt plate looks very Southern Mountain, no nose cap would be another characteristic. The trigger guard is more of what is seen on Penn. and Northern Va. I could be wrong, as I am not much of a historian, on these rifles. Looks like a 1970's build, but I might be off on that too.

Just from what I see, it looks like a shooter, to me.
Looks like a .36 Douglas barrel, just looking at the size of bore, in relation to dia. of barrel and also the grooves and their shape.

If your wife's late father, wasn't named J. Heck, then he more than likely had someone custom build it. Most builders sign their work, on the barrel, in that same general area.

 

[rushlake1]

WVU..What you have is a custom built longrifle...
No particular school.....
looks to be in good shape..

IS IT LOADED????????

drop the ramrod down the bore....mark the top of the rod where it comes out or the bore.
lay it against the barrel and make sure its all the way down to the beginning of the breech plug.

A breach pug is threaded and tang is attached.
the plug should end behind the flash hole

better safe than sorry....

cotton t shirts make great cleaning patches...run a snugg oiled rag down the bore..to check for rough or loose spots...

Looks like a keeper..Happy shooting!

Good luck and send a range report ....

 

[hanshi]

Your rifle is not poorly built and is an Appalachian style build. The lock and the trigger guard has me thinking it was built in the 1950s or 1960s at the earliest. So it is old but definitely not from the 18th or 19th century and is likely from the middle third of the 20th century.

It looks in good condition and should be used. It's a dandy squirrel/small game/varmint rifle. Enjoy it.

 

[mooman76]

It looks similar to my Dixie of Dixie Gun works Mountain rifle. They came in kits or you could buy them built. Someone could have altered an original to their liking but my guess it was a kit. You could also order/change the parts as you wanted. With no marking it's really hard to tell. Some people liked to remove the markings to have the clean look. Have you removed the barrel to see if there are markings underneath? Either way if the barrel was cared for as it looks, it should be a good shootin gun.

 

[rdstrain49]

I only see two problems with your rifle.

1) It's not a Flinter.
2) It's not mine & I could easily ignore #1.

Very nice.

 

[WVU]

I greatly appreciate everyone's input/feedback. I'll be sure to post a range report once I start playing around with different loads.

Hopefully I'll have it dialed in for spring turkey season.

 

[Cowboy]

I'm happy for you my friend! I would be proud to own such a rifle as yours! I bet once you get a load combo worked up and get her dialed in, she'll be a tack driver. Bet many a squirrel has met its maker because of that rifle! :haha:

Anyway, congrats on your new muzzleloader and a range report will definitely be in order!

Respectfully, Cowboy :thumbsup:

 

[don hepler]

If that is a Siler lock, and it looks like it is, then it could be converted to Flint. But nothing wrong with a cap lock turkey gun.

I would expect, from seeing the condition of the rifle, that many squirrel "have" been taken with that rifle.

Nice!! I love a gun, with history, and character.

 

[hrchotaw]

+1 :thumbsup:

 

[Black Hand]

A kit rifle built by someone with little knowledge of rifle architecture/carving, assembly and finish. The 14 and the name on the top barrel flat appear to be done with a Dremel tool and a ball-shaped bit. Could be re-worked and cleaned up - lots of extra wood in the lock/sideplate panel areas as well as the entire forestock - generally slab-sided. Rear sight appears to be installed proud (not fully seated). That is what I see...

 

[RedFeather]

Shoot, what I see is a free rifle, not to mention a family heirloom. I have previous little from my dad. As to authenticity, I'd much prefer inheriting something I can actually shoot than a shot out, rusted, busted authentic relic. I've seen several guns like yours with similar markings. I think the idea behind the crude script is it's more of a signature than a stamping. At any rate, the guy who built it probably wasn't concerned about it standing up to scrutiny here. From the days before the Internet. Do post how she does.

PS - Try looking for a J HOCH, as it could be that.

 

[Kapow]

That was my first impression also. The one I had was very poorly and lightly marked on the barrel too.

 

[tenngun]

I would say its 70s when the southern style rifle started becoming popular. While its not a fine assembly many old guns were not any better, some worse. I would be proud to own it. It is not gun that meets standards of what this type should, but many old guns ere made from random parts and had sloppy stock lines. Across rendezvous in 70 and 80s you would have seen a lot of these, don't ever be ashamed to carry it

 

[hrchotaw]

Nothing to be ashamed of. It was probably put together in a basement with limited hand tools,and knowledge by a working man,with limited funds at his disposal. He did not have an unlimited data base of knowledge,and pictures of what was "acceptable" at his fingertips. To me I see a gun that is just as desirable as some custom handmade high dollar piece of art!And we do not know how much pleasure it brought its owner. If only that gun could talk :thumbsup: