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New Member looking for history on a family heirloom
- Thread starter BSB
- Start date
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Thagomizer
40 Cal
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Can't help on the maker but it looks to be a late percussion gun. Turned muzzle indicates a matching bullet starter. What's the bore size?
Please put some oil on all the metal parts that are rusting.
May be a candidate for some wood restoration depending on the condition of the rest of the gun.
Please put some oil on all the metal parts that are rusting.
May be a candidate for some wood restoration depending on the condition of the rest of the gun.
Thagomizer
40 Cal
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Just did the Google thing and there is a reprint of a diary of a man by that name and town. Described as a farmer and abolitionist that moved from Pennsylvania to Ottawa in 1830s. Might be worth a look see.
Best I can come up with is the maker was a late 1800's smith in Illinois. But that is obvious just from the rifle.
That rifle needs some conservation and probably some restoration.
That rifle needs some conservation and probably some restoration.
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There was more than one Ebersol in Ottawa, Illinois between 1843 and 1880. Daniel S. Was the first. Joseph W. Came latter. I would say yours was made by Joseph after 1866. Here is a picture of an Ebersol and D. krouse rifle made between 1872 and 1880. All this info and the picture is in 18th & 19th Century Illinois Gunsmiths, second edition, by Curtis L. Johnson. I recommend you look up this book and buy it.
Thank you all for the quick responses. I heard this forum was the best resource for all things muzzle loading. I put a set of calipers on the bore .354 in so i assume its s 35 caliber. I will look up that book and get it. If anyone has any further information or suggestions i am all ears. I will spend some time getting it cleaned/oiled up. I don’t necessarily want to shoot it but would like to get it to atleast be preserved and presentable. We believe it has been in the family since original purchase.
I agree that BSB's gun is most probably a post-civil war build. According to the census information, Daniel appears to have been a farmer who was also a part time gunsmith as listed in the 1870 census for Ottawa . Daniel was born in 1820 and his son Joseph was born in 1843 and died in 1921. However, In the 1870 census, Joseph is listed as a farmer. ... so, the builder is not a certainty in my mind, as it could have been made by either the father or the son. More research MIGHT give a more definitive answer
Bad editing; Daniel was apparently born in 1790 and died in 1873. I need to proof read better!
Sorry for my bad proofreading; Daniel was born in 1790 and died in 1873!
Welcome to the Muzzleloading Forum, @BSB . That is an interesting old rifle. I don't really have anything to add, but would agree with the consensus regardng the likely date of manufacture.
These are the books you are looking for, the definitive works on Illinois gunmakers of the muzzleloading era:
These were published by and are available from George Shumway Publisher, although some of the major muzzleloading suppliers like Track of the Wolf, the Log Cabin Shop, or Dixie Gun Works may also have them. Maybe also check with your public library.
Mr. Johnson (the author) also has a photo album of Illinois guns on Flickr: Illinois Gunmakers Prior to 1900
I don't know if there is some way to contact him through Flickr or not.
Good luck! I hope you find the information you are seeking.
Notchy Bob
These are the books you are looking for, the definitive works on Illinois gunmakers of the muzzleloading era:
These were published by and are available from George Shumway Publisher, although some of the major muzzleloading suppliers like Track of the Wolf, the Log Cabin Shop, or Dixie Gun Works may also have them. Maybe also check with your public library.
Mr. Johnson (the author) also has a photo album of Illinois guns on Flickr: Illinois Gunmakers Prior to 1900
I don't know if there is some way to contact him through Flickr or not.
Good luck! I hope you find the information you are seeking.
Notchy Bob
Welcome from North Dakota. If it measures 354 it's probably a 36 cal
welcome to the forum , sorry I can't help on info on the rifle
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