What do I have?

[Whisper]

I was just given this flintlock rifle from a friend. I was told that his dad acquired it sometime in the ‘30s when they were traveling around the world.

 

[olskool]

looks like it's from India to me. maybe something for the tourist trade,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[TreeMan]

I’ll be following to see the answers to what this odd beast is. Is that a broken mirror inside the ring of tacks?

 

[Whisper]

Yes...

 

[TreeMan]

Yes...

Well a man never knows when ya might need a mirror to pick your teeth or comb your hair while out hunting. Good luck on your quest for answers.

 

[rusty]

to me, it looks like a trade item that would have been sent to India it appears to have been restocked and not very well done at that.

 

[Sam squanch]

African trade musket. The stocks were adorned with mirrors to increase their attractiveness to the natives,as mirrors were rare in that part of the world.could have been sent to India, made in Belgium. DON’T refinish it! These guns are scarce due to hard use and confiscation by authorities.

 

[Sam squanch]

Oh, yes, the red paint on the stock is original.

 

[Whisper]

Yes you are correct or at least that’s what the guy said that his parents told him. I have not touched anything on the rifle. He didn’t know when the copper wrap was done but was soldered to keep it in place. He was told that it of the 1750 vintage but I can’t validate that. The amazing thing is that the lock still works.

 

[Greg Blackburn]

What a gift!

 

[Sam squanch]

These were made roughly from 1880’s up to 1930’s. I have a old bannerman catalog with a drawing of the exact gun.

 

[Whisper]

That sounds better considering the copper wrap. Thanks

 

[Rudyard]

Trade gun ,nothing to do with India. But S' America or Africa more like .Yes its rough as bags but its survival rate was'nt long. so its a good example in its own right so leave it as it is I'de say 1920 s or later It looks like it has Warrented & mabee a crown but hard to see if its Elephant with a Howda on top its West Africa market. a Bee anywhere ? . In its own context Ide call it important to the study of these guns ..Some customer reckoned them the' Bees Knees' .No accounting for taste & like the rude 'Lazzarinoes ' with pretend Miguelets its a good example IF you like these guns . I think they warrant study and careful preservation .You say rifle but Ide guess it smooth bored . Neat.
Regards Rudyard

 

[Greg Blackburn]

Pretty neat item, definitely do not "restore" it and keep it protected from rust. Piece of history. I assume these were working firearms at one time?

 

[RAEDWALD]

With the 'Royal African Company' Elephant and Howdah so probably for the West African market. British commercial proof as a 22 bore if smooth so 0,596" nominally or 0,600' in human measure. If his friend's father picked it up in the 1930's it may be hardly used. A rare survival in this condition so preserve it as it is.

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

Belgian made trade gun by the look of it.

 

[Zonie]

I don't see any Belgian proof marks on the gun.

 

[Tanglefoot]

That looks like an African Trade Gun to me, probably 20 gauge ...roughly .62 caliber and smoothbore. Those were still being offered for sale in the 1950's in the back pages of the Shooter's Bible. I disremember what outfit was selling them. DGW had some of them for a while too, I think.

 

[Zonie]

That looks like an African Trade Gun to me, probably 20 gauge ...roughly .62 caliber and smoothbore. Those were still being offered for sale in the 1950's in the back pages of the Shooter's Bible. I disremember what outfit was selling them. DGW had some of them for a while too, I think.

I think you are thinking of Stoeger Arms.
In "BLACK POWDER GUIDE"© 1969, by Major George Nonte, the author says:

"STOEGER ARMS CORP : An old line firm that has been importing all manner of guns, ammunition, accessories, and related items for many years. Back before the words "replica" and "reproduction" became common and before today's wide variety of muzzle-loading guns became available, Stoeger offered so-called "Trade Guns." These guns are still available today for decorative purposes only and are as described below." (p29)

These guns were usually poorly made, inexpensive guns that were imported from 3rd world countries where they had become obsolete.

 

[S.Kenton]

I was just given this flintlock rifle from a friend. I was told that his dad acquired it sometime in the ‘30s when they were traveling around the world.

To me that “mirror” looks like pearl... I could be wrong..neat piece!