Dimick Rifle

[shump]

Good Morning,
I just picked up this rifle marked H E Dimick on the lock plate and barrel. I'm a civil war guys, and intrigued with the 66th Illinois Infantry, who were equipped with Dimick Rifles. I know the history about them, but looking for someone who may know the maker of this one. I assume it's a reproduction. This is my first rifle of the plains style as I've only owned reproduction Enfield and Springfield muskets. Thanks for any help or reference.

 

[Phil Coffins]

I’d agree, modern home made.

 

[Grenadier1758]

With what may be an original HE Dimmick lock.

 

[tallPercshooter]

I almost never see an original percussion rifle with a cleanout screw in the snail. So that says modern to me.

 

[BoomStick]

With what may be an original HE Dimmick lock.

I also think the lock is original. If a modern maker would take the trouble to mark the lock as an antique, they'd probably make sure the plate better fit the drum. This, from the photo, appears to have a large gap.

 

[shump]

I also think the lock is original. If a modern maker would take the trouble to mark the lock as an antique, they'd probably make sure the plate better fit the drum. This, from the photo, appears to have a large gap.

Here is the underside of the lock. As others have pointed out to me, this was built by Bob Tingle. The barrel has the same breech plug as a Tingle used as well. He marked just about every part with his serial number on this rifle. If it is an original lock plate, he put his serial number on it to as seen above. So I'm a living historian by hobby, and we get our Springfield and Enfield muskets "defarbed". That's the removing of modern markings and replaced with period correct ones. I'm wondering if someone "defarbed" this Tingle to make it look like a Demick for that purpose or someone was trying to create a fake to pass as original. I'm learning here!

 

[Grenadier1758]

I agree, @shump, those lock internals are not to be found in a Dimick lock. Probably Tingle.

The mystery of this rifle deepens.