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Need help in identifying a muzzleloader pls help!

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Hi,
You really should post the gun on the ALR site that was suggested in a previous thread. There are quite a few long rifle experts and collectors who are active there. I do not believe your lock is original to the gun. It appears too small for the mortice. The style of the rifle looks like western or southwestern PA from the second half of the 19th century. The trigger guard is unusual not having the curl or return on the bow behind the triggers. However, there are other examples of that. The overall shape of the guard is mid-late 19th century and has a Bedford or western PA look. The side plate is also consistent with late guns made in that region. I have no idea of value because plain late percussion period long rifles are fairly common.

dave
 
I too thought the lock was too small for the mortise. Then I notices the crack in the stock at the breech that has opened up the lock mortise and I decided that accounted for the loose fit of the lock.
 
I am far from an expert on this topic, but it looks like kind of a frankengun to me. The trigger guard doesn't appear to be original, note the hole in the stock behind the guard. Someone already mentioned that it was probably a single trigger gun to begin with, but it could also be that the original guard was broken and replaced with one from a single trigger gun of some description. The unexplained hole in the lock could mean it started life on another gun. I agree with Dave though, ALR might give her some better answers. For the reasons I've already mentioned, though, it may be hard for anyone to say exactly what it is or was originally. It certainly is interesting an any rate, and the wood is quite nice...other than the crack of course.
 
Good point Gene.
Take it to a gun show/sale/fair and walk around with it to see what attention/interest it attracts? I have read many reports from people who bought an item someone was "just carrying around". Contacts and appraisals may come with exposure.
 
Provinance can sure bump the price of a gun way way up there. I've seen a piece of a gun that looked more like dirt then a gun that was verified to be at Custer's last stand sell for thousands! I would make every effort to ID the age and maker of the gun. That can tell you the presumptive provenance. Talking to elderly members of your family might help fill in the blanks. Good luck!
 
Maybe I will keep it @treestalkers empahatic plea was quite moving.

I would have to really be desperate for money to sell it . If I had to though I would be sure WHAT I was selling and what it was really worth . Keep it at least till you are sure what you should get for it , hopefully by then you won't need the money and will keep it in the family. You can always sell it but you will likely never be able to get it back if you do and regret sets in . If I had to sell one it would be the P38 and a look at Gun Broker or one of the other sale sights would give you an idea of what you might get for it . Nazi marked P38's bring a premium .
 
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