Ohio Half-stock Rifle

[deadin]

I have recently acquired an Ohio half-stock percussion rifle and would appreciate any information that I can get on it. The following is as complete a description as I can manage. (pictures to follow)\
53

 

[robinghewitt]

Are you sure it's Riddle, not Biddle?

 

[AJFedak]

Squire Robin,
Try to contact the Dan Kindig at

Log Cabin Shop
PO Box 275 8010 Lafayette Rd.
Lodi, Ohio 44254
Phone: (330) 948-1082 • Fax: (330) 948-4307
e-mail: [email protected]

<http://www.logcabinshop.com/>

They have a nice collection of Ohio gun makers firearms on display like a small museum ( about 75-100 guns and accessories on display). Dan Kindig could have more information. His family has been involved in muzzle loadng industry for over 60 years.

Good Luck
Sincerely
AJ/OH

 

[deadin]

Squire Robin,
I checked very carefully again and it is definitely
"Riddle".

Thanks for your interest, Dean

 

[robinghewitt]

it is definitely "Riddle"

Shame that, I have Riddel, Riddell and lots of Biddle's but no Riddle

 

[Zonie]

Robin: Sounds like a definite riddle to me. ::

 

[robinghewitt]

Sounds like a definite riddle to me. ::

There's a Tickell and a Laugher, but no Riddle ::

 

[Stoney]

The book American Firearms by Stephen Van Rensselaer list's a Meunier Riddle,Milwaukee, Wis. But no dates or further information is given.

 

[robinghewitt]

The book American Firearms by Stephen Van Rensselaer list's a Meunier Riddle,Milwaukee, Wis. But no dates or further information is given.

There's a John Meunier in Milwaukee active 1855-1919, the John Meunier Gun Co.

Earlier Meunier's in Berlin, Paris and Liege but still no mention of Riddle in Stockel ::

 

[8905c]

I have found the following information on William Kail in the book Ohio Gunsmiths & Allied Tradesman, by Don Hutslar.

William Kail - Born in Ohio - 1816?
Was a farmer and gunsmith located in Gilmore - Tuscarawas County - Ohio. Also owned and operated a small corn and saw mill on Watson Creek in southeast Clay Township

 

[deadin]

Here are some pictures.....

 

[8905c]

Great looking gun! I love those old original rifles. Was the gun in your family, or did you purchase it from a shop, etc.?

 

[deadin]

The rifle was purchased at a "barn sale" in Tuscarawas County back in the 30's. I got it from the son of the purchaser. So it really wasn't a "family" gun, but never did really get away from home until it was shipped out here to Washington in the early 70's.
So far I have the maker (Wm Kail) born in ~1826 and died in 1904 having never left the county. Still hoping for more info. Especially the "triple" stamp of his name on the barrel, The small caliber (~.30) and the unusual lockwork.
No half-cock and must be set before cocking.

Dean

 

[albert]

That is a fine looking rifle,it would make a nice squirrel gun.Most of the original guns that I have,don't have a half cock notch on the tumbler,and some are a single set like yours. :m2c: