Wall hanger identification

[Old Sparky]

I have had this rifle over 30 years it has been a wall hanger. I always assumed it was a 32 Caliber squirrel rifle. But it measures out to be .345. The inside of the lock says made in Italy. I never heard of a 34 caliber squirrel rifle. but I guess that's what it is. Does anyone know what this thing is. It was acquired in the mid-70s. Maybe it is a kit maybe it is a one-off. Does anyone know what this thing is? I am getting ready to start shooting it and I'm trying to figure out what size balls to order.310 balls are ridiculously loose even with a patch.

 

[springfield art]

Interesting The faux 'striping' is pretty homely, but it's fun to look into re-animating the thing! Good luck!

 

[springfield art]

I have had this rifle over 30 years it has been a wall hanger. I always assumed it was a 32 Caliber squirrel rifle. But it measures out to be .345. The inside of the lock says made in Italy. I never heard of a 34 caliber squirrel rifle. but I guess that's what it is. Does anyone know what this thing is. It was acquired in the mid-70s. Maybe it is a kit maybe it is a one-off. Does anyone know what this thing is? I am getting ready to start shooting it and I'm trying to figure out what size balls to order.310 balls are ridiculously loose even with a patch.

The etching on the lock is kinda cool....

 

[BEP]

Initially, I recognized the sideplate. Then, after downloading the photos where you can see the entire rifle and seeing the patchbox, lock and barrel pin bezels (not the right name, I know) it's easy to see it's a Hopkins & Allen Minuteman. I had one in the early 1970's and, through the help of a forum member, bought another one about 8 years or so ago. They were available in flint or percussion and in several calibers, as a finished rifle or in kit form. Mine is supposed to be a .45 but is actually a .44 so I can't help you with a suggested ball size but since you've measured the bore you should probably start with a ball 10 thousandths undersized and start experimenting with patch thickness, powder charges - you know: the usual stuff. Good luck! Have fun!

 

[BillyC]

Looks like the flint is too big and doesn’t even allow the frozen to close.

 

[wiscoaster]

Interesting stock embellishments.

 

[Old Sparky]

Looks like the flint is too big and doesn’t even allow the frozen to close.

That's just a random Flint I put in there to see if the frizzen was hardened. Worse than that the ramrod doesn't fit down the barrel

 

[Old Sparky]

Interesting stock embellishments.

That's what made me wonder if it was a kit or something

 

[flntlokr]

If the barrel was made in Italy as part of a working firearm, it should have Italian proof marks on it somewhere.

 

[Old Sparky]

If the barrel was made in Italy as part of a working firearm, it should have Italian proof marks on it somewhere.

There are some marks under the lock. I will check it out thanks

 

[Old Sparky]

Initially, I recognized the sideplate. Then, after downloading the photos where you can see the entire rifle and seeing the patchbox, lock and barrel pin bezels (not the right name, I know) it's easy to see it's a Hopkins & Allen Minuteman. I had one in the early 1970's and, through the help of a forum member, bought another one about 8 years or so ago. They were available in flint or percussion and in several calibers, as a finished rifle or in kit form. Mine is supposed to be a .45 but is actually a .44 so I can't help you with a suggested ball size but since you've measured the bore you should probably start with a ball 10 thousandths undersized and start experimenting with patch thickness, powder charges - you know: the usual stuff. Good luck! Have fun!

Thank you very much. The main spring was broken on the lock I managed to make a new one. It's working out pretty good so far, can't wait to release some smoke

 

[Old Sparky]

Seems like $179 would have been a premium Muzzleloader back then LOL

 

[Barry Strickland]

H&A used a lot of .357 barrels. They called them 36 cal. They took a .345 ball.
You could use a .010 patch and a peg starter with a .350 ball. Tight combination but shot well with either one.
Barry

 

[54ball]

There is actually enough extra wood on that rifle to make it really pretty. A rasp, file, reshape and scrape, that rifle could look really good.

 

[TFoley]

If the barrel was made in Italy as part of a working firearm, it should have Italian proof marks on it somewhere.

Correct - as a fully working firearm, this is true.

However, for kit guns, where the barrel and breech plug were separate items, then it would not have been proofed. It might have a serial number on it, and might just be undrilled.

Italian and Spanish-made kits leave it up to the builder to 'proof', using the old tyre/tire and string method.

 

[rickystl]

I remember this gun well from the late 1960's to mid 70's. The flintlock locks were problematic on many. I think DGW made a replacement lock for a few years.

Rick

 

[Old Sparky]

I remember this gun well from the late 1960's to mid 70's. The flintlock locks were problematic on many. I think DGW made a replacement lock for a few years.

Rick

When I pulled it out of the spare room and started messing with it as soon as I pulled the cock back the main spring snapped. I ended up making a new one since I happened to be a blacksmith.

 

[le125verne]

I have had this rifle over 30 years it has been a wall hanger. I always assumed it was a 32 Caliber squirrel rifle. But it measures out to be .345. The inside of the lock says made in Italy. I never heard of a 34 caliber squirrel rifle. but I guess that's what it is. Does anyone know what this thing is. It was acquired in the mid-70s. Maybe it is a kit maybe it is a one-off. Does anyone know what this thing is? I am getting ready to start shooting it and I'm trying to figure out what size balls to order.310 balls are ridiculously loose even with a patch.

Is it rifled or a smooth bore? Get some drill bits that are not buggered up. Insert the shank part. That will enable you to know what the bore is. As I have learned, If it is rifled, your ball should roll in and out of the barrel without any patch. Happy Shooting!

 

[UndeadPoet]

Interesting finish. It looks like they wrapped a wire around it and heated it to do faux striping, but it actually burned into the wood or was so tight it just indented it. Or, that was a lot of file work…

 

[Old Sparky]

Interesting finish. It looks like they wrapped a wire around it and heated it to do faux striping, but it actually burned into the wood or was so tight it just indented it. Or, that was a lot of file work…

I am thinking angle grinder then a torch. They must have burnt the whole thing and then sanded it down to leave the cracks. I remember whenever I was a kid I thought it was intricate work. I still do like the look of it