J. golcher research

[BMCS]

Firearm ID - l have an unidentified perc. sporting rifle with, what I believe to be a Josh or Joseph Golcher lock plate. There are two marks on the top of the barrel - what looks like the letter “C” lying on its back with the opening looking down the barrel. Below that is a “TC” and it’s not Thompson-Center. On the lock there is, what might be “G_ _ _ cher.” Also, on the left end of the lock, there is a scene with two, what I think might be, guinea hens. I also have a Henry Deringer sporting rifle with “J Golcher” in old English font and a simillar scene on the left end of the lock with the hens.
I’m new to the forum and I’m wondering if anybody is doing any Golcher research. Any assistance will be appreciated.
BMCS

 

[rich pierce]

Golcher marked locks were used all over the place from 1820s onward. There’s not much else to know as far as I know. It’s impossible to tell who made a gun or where it was made or precisely when it was made by the Golcher lock on the gun.

 

[BMCS]

Golcher marked locks were used all over the place from 1820s onward. There’s not much else to know as far as I know. It’s impossible to tell who made a gun or where it was made or precisely when it was made by the Golcher lock on the gun.

Thanks, Rich

 

[bpd303]

Some detailed pictures may get in the ball park of the builder or regional style.

 

[BMCS]

Greetings bpd303, here's some pics of the rifle I spoke of - H. Deringer Philad is stamped on the barrel and it has a J. Golcher lock. I'm new to the forum, neither collector or expert and, from what limited research I've done, I'll venture, in my opinion, that it's an indian trade rifle. And, that's a wild guess. Any info would be appreciated and my thanks in advance.

 

[Notchy Bob]

Thank you for posting, BMCS. Regarding the lock, I think those might be intended as pheasants, or possibly grouse. They do look a lot like guinea hens, though!

I believe the first name was Joseph, sometimes shortened to "Josh," but with the "h" in superscript. I have seen the last name as "Golcher" and "Goulcher."

That certainly is an interesting and very fine rifle in post #5. I'm not an expert on Indian trade rifles, but I've never heard of one with birdseye maple stock wood.* The figure in that stock is impressive. The trade rifles with which I am most familiar, by the various makers, tend to have trigger guards with more rounded bows. I think of those "flat-bottomed" bows more in association with target and sporting rifles, although I am presenting that as opinion, rather than fact. I believe trigger guards of that type were sort of a percussion era "Philadelphia thing." You also see them on Tryon rifles.

Your rifle also appears to have a wooden under-rib, which is unusual but not unknown. I'm not aware of this being used on trade rifles. Wooden ribs have come up as topics of discussion a couple of times recently, on various forums. It's good to see anther original that has one. I'm sure images of your rifle would be welcomed in future discussions of that topic.

Thank you for posting!

Notchy Bob

*EDIT: I went back and leafed through Ryan Gale's For Trade and Treaty, and found two trade rifles stocked in very impressive birdseye maple, one by Tryon, and one by Dickert. I stand corrected!

 

[BMCS]

Notchy Bob, thank you for the very insightful interpretation. I bought this rifle at auction in about 1971 and, after a very quick assessment, bought it in haste. I was irritated when I got to examine it and discovered the Golcher name on the lock plate. I always thought, because of the different lock plate, that it had been gussied up for auction. Fortunately it's a good looking rifle and it hung for many years on our fireplace.

I started doing a bit of research on it about a year ago and have been quite intrigued by my findings, especially discovering that the Golchers made many of the lock plates that the Deringers used. If I come up with anything new I'll post it.

Again, thanks for the input.

BMCS