Unmarked .36 percussion rifle

[RockingKJ]

Here is one of my favorite antique rifles. .36 cal, slender and lightweight. Light engraving on the lock put no discernible makers mark. Has a very nice bore and a shooter. Does not have a half cock and looking at the inside never had one. Set the trigger and cock. Fine for paper punching but would not care to carry it hunting with hammer down on a cap. Any guesses at to pedigree is welcome.

 

[jd45]

Would you like to sell it? What's the twist rate? Sorry I don't have any info.

 

[Uncle Miltie]

Very nice rifle! Might be from Indiana.

 

[RockingKJ]

Would you like to sell it? What's the twist rate? Sorry I don't have any info.

Not looking to sell her. Every time I take her to a shoot, have to wipe off the dool from folks admiring her. lol most folks are shooting modern common rifles. So an antique garners some attention. Appears to be about 1-66 twist.

 

[smoothshooter]

Here is one of my favorite antique rifles. .36 cal, slender and lightweight. Light engraving on the lock put no discernible makers mark. Has a very nice bore and a shooter. Does not have a half cock and looking at the inside never had one. Set the trigger and cock. Fine for paper punching but would not care to carry it hunting with hammer down on a cap. Any guesses at to pedigree is welcome.

Why would any factory make a percussion gun lock without a half-cock???
This gun is not the first one I have heard about lacking that feature.

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[Gtrubicon]

Amazing rifle!

 

[The Crisco Kid]

I think there was a recent discussion here about caplocks with no half cock notch that were meant to be carried capped with the hammer down on the nipple. Someone mentioned having a piece of leather on the cap that would fall off when the lock was cocked. That seems pretty safe to me. I don't know if the triggers are set before or after the lock is brought to full cock. That is a really nice looking rifle and I wouldn't sell it either.

 

[RockingKJ]

I think there was a recent discussion here about caplocks with no half cock notch that were meant to be carried capped with the hammer down on the nipple. Someone mentioned having a piece of leather on the cap that would fall off when the lock was cocked. That seems pretty safe to me. I don't know if the triggers are set before or after the lock is brought to full cock. That is a really nice looking rifle and I wouldn't sell it either.

This rifle you have to set the trigger to cock it. It’s so slender the sear stub (probably a better name) does not allow the trigger room to cock unless the trigger is set. Probably could thin that down and or the trigger to fix this but this rifle appears has been this way since built. So reluctant to play gunsmith now.

 

[Stykbow]

Fine looking rifle there. Question, what is a good estimate on the manufacture date of this rifle?

 

[RockingKJ]

Fine looking rifle there. Question, what is a good estimate on the manufacture date of this rifle?

I’m sure there will be someone with a good estimate. I am guessing 1850’s-maybe 1870’s but I’m no expert by any means.

 

[Stykbow]

I’m sure there will be someone with a good estimate. I am guessing 1850’s-maybe 1870’s but I’m no expert by any means.

Thanks. Here is why I asked. What about this rifle tells you it’s that old? If I saw this rifle for sale I’d think it was produced more recently because it’s in such good shape. I’m trying to educate myself on how to recognize an original for what it is if it doesn’t show its age.

 

[RockingKJ]

Thanks. Here is why I asked. What about this rifle tells you it’s that old? If I saw this rifle for sale I’d think it was produced more recently because it’s in such good shape. I’m trying to educate myself on how to recognize an original for what it is if it doesn’t show its age.

It would be easier if you could have the rifle in your hands to see the indicators. Granted age can be artificially induced. This rifle when you look at the complete package as they say lock, stock and barrel it all fits being an old rifle. My pictures probably make it look a bit nicer than it is. Once you have been around and handled antique muzzle loaders it’s
Easier to recognize an antique. At some point I will post another of my antique rifles which is in such nice shape you would have difficulty thinking it’s antique. I know this probably has not helped but markings or the lack of them aid in age identification.

 

[The Crisco Kid]

My guess is that the rifling dates it. I don't know of anyone making barrels with the seven wide lands and narrow grooves. I'd like to know if it's a right or left hand twist. If I'm wrong I'm someone here can educate me.