Antique Halfstock Squirrel Rifle

[ravenousfishing]

I recently got this 36cal halfstock rifle and was looking for any info on it. Nice aged patina, no rust.There are no markings on the barrel. The engraved lock has a dog (setter?) and a name inside a scroll that is unreadable. At first glance, I thought it says Goulcher but now I am not so sure. The rear sight is an interesting adjustable model that pivots on a center screw and is tightened in place with a beavertail shaped tab on the front of the sight. The front sight has an insert that is the color of ivory but i don't think that is what it is.It appears to be a walnut stock with checkering at the wrist and forearm. All of the brass furniture is engraved and the fit of everything is perfect. May be a factory made rifle? Any ideas?

 

[wwpete52]

What a great looking rifle!

 

[Rancocas]

I have a similar looking, original rifle. Mine is a .32 caliber. I believe the style is generally referred to as an "Ohio Rifle". In fact, mine is marked "Wareham" on the barrel, and there was a father and son named Wareham making this type of rifle in a shop near Akron, OH. in the 1850s and 60s. The style is common and there were a lot of various makers.

 

[torn moc]

Sweet lookin Rifle ya got there! I would sau that's a keeper fer sure! Theres alot of small bore original rifles around here in West Virginia that go on the auction block but none compare to yours.... :thumbsup:

 

[CoyoteJoe]

That is a very interesting piece. The checkering is like nothing I've ever seen on an American ML rifle. And that rear sight, I can't fathom the need for such instantaneous windage adjustment unless it was to lead a running boar target.

 

[ravenousfishing]

Definitely don't know the thinking on that sight. There is a centerline witness mark that makes it easy to return to center, but seems way to easy to move to me.

 

[Mulebrain]

Pretty neat old rifle there!

Be sure to check the underside of the patch box lid for any markings!!

 

[shortstring]

The checkering seems kind of odd to me. Sort of looks like later work possibly. I wonder if it could be a rifle from the 1930s or 40s. Maybe a restock of a 19th century gun? I don't recall ever seeing an 1800s piece with that style of work on it.

Looking at the engraving it reminds me of a Billy Veeters rifle that a guy owns that comes to the York match. Veeters lived in Indiana & made guns back in the mid to early 1900s

 

[Mulebrain]

I must agree, that it does look of later manufacture.

 

[Many Klatch]

The checkering looks modern, the gun could be a lot older. It almost looks like an original that was cleaned up by a "modern" gunsmith maybe in the 1950's.

Many Klatch

 

[PGTMG]

I agree with Rancocas about the rifle looking like two I have seen in Ohio but those did not have checkering or as nice!

Great find, enjoy let us know how it shoots!