matt denison
54 Cal.
- Joined
- Aug 15, 2004
- Messages
- 1,786
- Reaction score
- 12
We had our club picnic this weekend. One of the members brought a squirel rifle that he has no information on. It's last home was in Indiana.
It has a .325 bore.
The cap lock says RIDDLE in a banner on the forward section and has what appears to be cast in enraving of a hunter with gun in hand (sort of a cartoonish character)
The markings on the barrel:
these are stamps, not engraved:
"POLK S RIFLE WORKS" Beneath that is
"BRYAN O"
Closer to the breach is
"No 5"
Trigger guard and butt plate are brass. (something fake looking about them) Set triggers. The lock does not have a half cock. The gun has been shot a LOT judging by the wear to the hammer and pitting around the nipple. It's in relatively good condition otherwise, no cracks or chips missing. I didn't look in the bore, don't care, and yes I checked to be sure it isn't loaded.
Can anyone shed light on the RIDDLE lock or POLK S RIFLE WORKS? Could "BRYON O" be an address somewhere? (Bryan, Oregon for instance?) Is it old or is it some bizzare kit gun from the early Dixie days? For some reason I am suspicious that it isn't very old.
Thanks for any info. We don't get to see many squirel guns out here in the Rocky Mountains.
It has a .325 bore.
The cap lock says RIDDLE in a banner on the forward section and has what appears to be cast in enraving of a hunter with gun in hand (sort of a cartoonish character)
The markings on the barrel:
these are stamps, not engraved:
"POLK S RIFLE WORKS" Beneath that is
"BRYAN O"
Closer to the breach is
"No 5"
Trigger guard and butt plate are brass. (something fake looking about them) Set triggers. The lock does not have a half cock. The gun has been shot a LOT judging by the wear to the hammer and pitting around the nipple. It's in relatively good condition otherwise, no cracks or chips missing. I didn't look in the bore, don't care, and yes I checked to be sure it isn't loaded.
Can anyone shed light on the RIDDLE lock or POLK S RIFLE WORKS? Could "BRYON O" be an address somewhere? (Bryan, Oregon for instance?) Is it old or is it some bizzare kit gun from the early Dixie days? For some reason I am suspicious that it isn't very old.
Thanks for any info. We don't get to see many squirel guns out here in the Rocky Mountains.