What might I have

[muzzlecap]

I picked this muzzleloader up last week from auction. It's a 50 caliber with a 32" barrel with a nice bore.. Just wondering if anyone has an opinion on what I have. I'm guessing it is a one off custom build? There is no maker's name on the barrel but has AEP015 stamped in it. The front sight appears hand made and possibly the rear peep sight. I think the trigger guard is also hand made. I have never seen a lock plate this style so wondering if it is also hand made. While not built by a master builder, whoever built it didn't do too bad of a job.

 

[russellshaffer]

That is really interesting. I think the lock is a homemade endevor. Do you have a photo of the back side with the working parts? I bet it doesn't look like a typical lock.

 

[Hermit Tim]

No idea what it is but it is pretty unique. Shot it yet? Might get some pretty good distance with those sights. Pretty neat rifle.

 

[muzzlecap]

Here is a pic of the back side of the lock. I have been away since I picked it up so really haven't done anything with it yet.

 

[oldwood]

Never saw anything like this one. Shoot it ,and see if she'll group. Might have a winner there...

 

[necchi]

I'm guessing it is a one off custom build?

I'm, guessing your right.

There is no maker's name on the barrel but has AEP015 stamped in it.

And it is,, AEP's,, 15th build

 

[ETipp]

Very interesting rifle for sure. Not bad at all actually. I do hope it shoots accurately for you. Could very well be a good shooting ML.

The rear sight has my interest up. Can you post a picture of the front and rear of it so we can get a better idea of what it looks like?

 

[Rawhide67]

Go to the ALR website and post this under contemporary gun collecting. There are some people there who aren't on this site, and there is a lot of ID knowledge there. That lock should stick out in someone's memory, especially if the builder made several guns.

 

[JEBMs]

That lock should stick out in someone’s memory

You don’t see many lock plates cut out with pinking shears

 

[BS]

"Swimming Fish" may be a great shooter!

 

[Kansas Jake]

It almost looks like the lock is made from parts of another lock mounted to the hand made plate. Quite creative.

 

[oldwood]

If Roy Weatherby ever made a muzzleloader , it might look like that one.

 

[muzzlecap]

As requested, here are pics of both sides of the rear sight. It is a very simple design.

 

[Whitworth]

You don’t see many lock plates cut out with pinking shears

I think the lock was made from a saw blade.

 

[JEBMs]

I don’t know, I’ve gotta go with Mr. BS on the swimming fish look. Could tell more if I could get up close and personal with it. Interesting to say the least

 

[muzzlecap]

Yes, the plate does have a "swimming fish" look. It is nicely inlet into the stock. I think it was made from a piece of flat steel, not a saw blade.

 

[hanshi]

It is unique and I've never seen anything like it before. Something about it smells a lot like tomato sauce & oregano as if some of the parts may once have could have come off something from Italy. It looks good and well made, just weird is all. If a parts rifle someone did a bang-up job of putting all those parts together to make a rifle that may surprise you with it's accuracy.

 

[muzzlecap]

Yes, one of the reasons I bought it is because it is "different". Other than the barrel and lock parts, I believe everything else is hand made.

 

[leadhoarder]

Yeah that looks like someone made it to be a very functional but plain rifle. I like the overall size and shape of it and I am a fan of peep and globe sights.

 

[muzzlecap]

And to me the price was right. $176.00 which included buyer's fee and tax. I figured the leather weave sling was worth about $20.00.