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1803 Harper's Ferry

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M. Grigsby

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More than ten years ago I bought a well used replica of a n 1803 Harper's Ferry. It has etching on the barrel, which otherwise appears to be in the white. It is accurate, and I enjoy the heck out of it, but who made it? Where do I look for the makers marks? I'm sure it isn't a custom job. Where do I start. I don't know how to do pictures, so sorry.
 
Hi and welcome to the forum. Adding pictures is relatively easy. You have to have an account with Photobucket or TinyPic then from your computer upload the pictures there then use the IMG code to copy then paste them here. http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/287747/

If you read much here you will find out we really like pictures. :grin:
 
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What caliber is it, and what's it got for Rifling? Back in the day I got one of the Navy Arms Harper's Ferry's, which was made by Antonio Zoli. The Barrel was basically their .58 Cal with 3 Groove Shallow Minie Rifling, which actually shot a Round Ball surprisingly well. I replaced it with a Getz .54 Cal w/Round Bottom Rifling and never looked back - still have it...

But now that I think of it, there were plenty of Markings on the original Bbl...

Eric
 
I just looked at my zoli, and there are markings at the breech end of the barrel on the left, upper left, and top flats.
 
Could this be a "defarbed" (remove all modern markings, including proof marks, etc) to make the piece appear more authentic, as sometimes done by reenactors.

Most 'smiths that defarb will transfer the s/n to the bottom of the barrel, but this requires a numbered punch set. Some home handyman with a file might just remove everything.

Lacking any markings, one could only speculate.
 
I just examined my rifle again. The only characteristic that I can find that might be distinctive is that it has three very wide, very shallow lands and grooves -- so shallow that they are somewhat hard to count. Also, the lock has an eagle crest between the hammer and pan, with "NAVYARMSCo" beneath the eagle. The tail of the lock has:
HARPERS
FERRY
1803
in three arced lines that are perpendicular to the bore,
 

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