Friend brought this for me to work on.

[jsb30]

Any ideas on age or maker. No marking anywhere including under barrel. 12 LOP to front trigger, 32 in barrel 5/8 straight. About 28 cal. Weight 5 lbs. Pewter fore end cap. He shoots with 25 cal cast bullets. I am replacing the brass bolt they have in place of pin on barrel. It is hooked breech.

 

[Phil Coffins]

Nice old rifle, midwestern maybe Ohio.

 

[Notchy Bob]

I would agree with Phil... It's a very nice old Midwestern rifle. With the lightweight barrel, small caliber, and short LOP, possibly a "boy's rifle." People appreciated nice wood even back then, and that stock has some figure. The hooked breech would also add to the cost, so it must have been built for a person of some means.

I would guess post 1850 on the date. That particular style of trigger guard seemed to enjoy a surge of popularity in the mid-19th century, especially on rifles from the Midwest and, oddly enough, rifles built in California. There were also rifles built in Philadelphia specifically for the California trade which used that type of trigger guard. We discussed this in a recent thread concerning Dimick rifles.

With no markings on it, I would not venture to even guess who made it. It is a nice old rifle, though. Thanks for showing it!

Notchy Bob

 

[jsb30]

Thank You for your replys. Will mowing I suddenly realized I should take measurements and tracing before I return it. It would be really be nice to make one like it for my nephew who is now just a toddler.

 

[Crow-Feather]

What I can't figure out is the screw on the back of the lock. The inletting stops the lock from moving vertically. I would think that screw would somehow hold the rear of the lock solid to the stock. Or was it to stop the wearing of the lock in the stock when the hammer was being cocked?

 

[jsb30]

No rear lockbolt so lock slides under screwhead to hold it down. Tail of lock has basically 1/2 of a counterbore to slide under screwhead.

 

[Notchy Bob]

What I can't figure out is the screw on the back of the lock. The inletting stops the lock from moving vertically. I would think that screw would somehow hold the rear of the lock solid to the stock. Or was it to stop the wearing of the lock in the stock when the hammer was being cocked?

No rear lockbolt so lock slides under screwhead to hold it down. Tail of lock has basically 1/2 of a counterbore to slide under screwhead.

@jsb30 knows his stuff! The first photo in post #1 shows that little "half-moon" cutout for the screw head in the tail of the lock plate. It also gives a terrific view of the innards of a back action lock.

We hope to see pictures of the "boy's rifle" if you decide to build it. That should be an interesting project.

Notchy Bob

 

[Crow-Feather]

No rear lockbolt so lock slides under screwhead to hold it down. Tail of lock has basically 1/2 of a counterbore to slide under screwhead.

Thank you

 

[Mark Herman]

Looks to me like you have a late Ohio rifle with a typical back action lock. Not uncommon, used by many builders. More likely 70's period.

 

[Jim Wag]

Beautiful!
Anything with a possible 'California' style connection
Gets me going

Jim in La Luz

 

[1950DAVE]

She is cute.
Dave