CLOSED Unmarked .42 cal percussion rifle with Evans repeater barrel

[Dusty_Traveler]

Here’s a neat little piece. Unknown builder and era, but well executed. The barrel is from an Evans Repeating Rifle Co. New Model musket (only 1500 made in this configuration). Everything else appears to have been hand made.

Little rifle is light, handy, and very accurate. Bore size is .425”. Was using 250gr .432” HBWC’s sized down to .424”, then lubed and loaded like a minie. Bore is VG+ with lots of shine, good shallow cut riflings with a 1:20 something twist. The 250gr wad cutters were absolutely DRILLING the gong at 70 yards.
New powder drum and nipple.
P.I. Spence rear sight. No marks on the lock. Included is the M-P mold I was using, the original military ladder sight, (which is probably worth more than the whole rig), and a well fitted hickory ramrod with jag for loading and swabbing.

$400 plus shipping for a short 5lb gun.

28” bbl
44.25” OAL
14” LOP
5lb 4oz

 

[Dusty_Traveler]

 

[tallPercshooter]

I looked up Evans Repeating rifle. Early lever action. Very interesting read.

 

[TRex87]

Here’s a neat little piece. Unknown builder and era, but well executed. The barrel is from an Evans Repeating Rifle Co. New Model musket (only 1500 made in this configuration). Everything else appears to have been hand made.

Little rifle is light, handy, and very accurate. Bore size is .425”. Was using 250gr .432” HBWC’s sized down to .424”, then lubed and loaded like a minie. Bore is VG+ with lots of shine, good shallow cut riflings with a 1:20 something twist. The 250gr wad cutters were absolutely DRILLING the gong at 70 yards.
New powder drum and nipple.
P.I. Spence rear sight. No marks on the lock. Included is the M-P mold I was using, the original military ladder sight, (which is probably worth more than the whole rig), and a well fitted hickory ramrod with jag for loading and swabbing.

$400 plus shipping for a short 5lb gun.

28” bbl
44.25” OAL
14” LOP
5lb 4oz
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Hello,

What year or time period was the barrel made?

Is the mold included?
What kind of wad cutter is HBWC?

 

[Dusty_Traveler]

Hello,

What year or time period was the barrel made?

Is the mold included?
What kind of wad cutter is HBWC?

After re-reading the research I did on this when I first acquired it, I quoted a couple of things wrong in the listing description.

The barrel is from a transitional model musket, not a new model. Distinguishable by the barrel markings, round barrel, and military sights. "By early 1876 the so-called transition model was in production. The primary difference between this and the old model is that the transition model has a two-piece buttstock and a redesigned buttplate. This improved the balance of the rifle and offered better protection of the magazine from damage or dents which could jam the action. Barrel markings on the transition model are as follows: “Evans Repeating Rifle Mechanic Falls Me./Pat, Dec. 8, 1868 & Sept. 16, 1871”."

"By the summer of 1877 the new model was perfected and put into production."

Military musket:

30” round barrel, full forend retained with 2 or 3 barrel bands. Estimated quantity made - 150.

Source:
https://www.leverguns.com/articles/blancard/evans.htm

There were 150 of these muskets made, not 1500. Again, my mistake.

So, in answering your questions:

1. This barrel dates from early 1876 to mid 1877.
2. Yes, the mold is included, but will need a set of the big handles.
3. HBWC is a hollow based wadcutter. Basically flat top minie ball.

Remember: This barrel is from a cartridge firing rifle. It has an oddball bore size with a fast twist & shallow grooves. Ammo for this rifle will need to be prepared in several steps. As plain and as simple as it looks, I would not consider it a good starter rifle, or even your average muzzleloader.

Not trying to run anyone off, just my honest opinion.

 

[Dusty_Traveler]

Here’s some pictures with the original sights installed. There is no “USA” stamped after the patent date, making this for sure a transition model.