1850's American .42 caliber Mule ear rifle

Delivered yesterday! Was advertised as a .45, but the bore measures at .419" Cheek rests on both sides of the stock! Dainty little thing. Just enough inlay. I love the toe plate. RB molds are being shipped. Can't wait to shoot it!

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Very cool!! Keep us posted on how it shoots!!

Loja man said:

Very cool!! Keep us posted on how it shoots!!

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Absolutely!

That is Slick! Very nice. Love the toe plate.

TDM said:

That is Slick! Very nice. Love the toe plate.

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Yes!!

The smith did a very clean and very classy job that is literally timeless. Would LOVE to know the history of this old gun. The only markings are the remnants of "...TON?" A Remington barrel, perhaps? We'll never know!

Dusty_Traveler said:

Yes!!

The smith did a very clean and very classy job that is literally timeless. Would LOVE to know the history of this old gun. The only markings are the remnants of "...TON?" A Remington barrel, perhaps? We'll never know!

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Major Jean Villeneuve approves.

Very nice rifle!

Very nice. I am a fan of the mule ear side slapper.

64Springer said:

Major Jean Villeneuve approves.

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Irish132nd said:

Very nice rifle!

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DanL said:

Very nice. I am a fan of the mule ear side slapper.

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Thank you all!!

I am a fan of the muley too. I love the oddball, off-the-mainstream things!

That toeplate is a nice piece of work! Overall it looks to have been well-made. And no sign of wrist-breakage, which might be chance but then again I can't recall wrist damage on any of the few original sideslappers I've seen. Does the angle of force exerted on a sideslapper like this reduce breakage, since the lock isn't jarring the wood the same way when the hammer stops on the nipple?

Neat ol' shootin' iron. Thanks for posting.

LongWalker said:

Does the angle of force exerted on a sideslapper like this reduce breakage, since the lock isn't jarring the wood the same way when the hammer stops on the nipple?

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I really don’t know what effects the lock configuration has on wrist breakage. I’m sure it being such a light and small caliber rifle has helped over the years. Light helps if dropped on the heel. And small caliber helps with no wrist punishing recoil.

sheriff john said:

Neat ol' shootin' iron. Thanks for posting.

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Thanks John. I’ll post some more photos when I get everything together to shoot it.

great looking rifle. let us know how she shoots. I'm cleaning up my 1850 backlock to to shoot also. Bruce

Neat rifle, would be neat to see the inside of the lock if you get a chance.

44-henry said:

Neat rifle, would be neat to see the inside of the lock if you get a chance.

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Me too! Reminds me of this one.

44-henry said:

Neat rifle, would be neat to see the inside of the lock if you get a chance.

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Ha! I actually shot this rifle today for the first time and now have the lock apart for some repairs. It wasn't consistently popping caps. Upon disassembly, I discovered the screw that holds the mainspring down had shucked its threads, not letting the spring flex to its fullest. I'll see if I can get some pics.

I am thinking my lock is a modern reproduction, or at least inspired by your lock.

They're just nearly identical.

Timeless design...If it ain't broke, don't change it!