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doc623

40 Cal.
Joined
Feb 11, 2004
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Need help researching 2 old caplocks so thanks in advance.

1. The only markings on this single trigger caplock with a 40" half stock with a octagonal barrel of diameter( across the flats?) is 1" and approx. bore diameter or 5/16" is Joseph Goecher on the side plate.

2. This half stock cap lock with 2 triggers(a set trigger)has a octagonal barrel of 34" which measures 3/4" (across the flats?) diameter with a bore diameter of 3/8" has Leman, Lancaster Pa on the side plate.
Is there any other information that I can provide as to the characteristics?
 
I googled Leman Lancaster and found several entries, including a nice piece on him here, with sketches of some of his guns:
[url] http://www.prospector-utah.com/leman.htm[/url]

Google is a wonderful tool :)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
That first lock is probably made by Golcher, who made lots of locks bought by other smiths to use in making inexpensive rifles. Any markings on the underside of the barrel? Or inside the Buttplate? Or under the sideplate? Or under the trigger guard? These are the places you often find additional information. Always pull the barrel to look for markings on the bottom of the barrel, and even in the barrel mortise in the stock. You see lots of guns like you describe in and around Ohio and Pennsylvania, and some down through Virginia and N. Carolina.
 
Further research revealed that the ML was actually made by L. Biddle who make rifles in the 1800s. It seems as though Biddle and other gun makers bought locks and other parts from other artisans. This rifel is .36 cal and has a 34" barrel.
The other in question was also made by Biddle and is .28 cal and has a 40" barrel.
 
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