"Oval and Comet" side plates

[rabjr]

On New England style guns, can anyone date these on Smoothbores? Were these mainly post 1800's or can they be dated earlier?

 

[George]

Swampy, I have an original smooth rifle which the experts on this board tell me is definitely New England style, probably 1812-1825. It has similar side plates which may be what you are calling oval and comet. New term to me, but take a look:

Spence

 

[rabjr]

Ya I haven't seen anything before 1810 concerning this type of side plate and wondered just how far back they were used. There seems to be several versions which range from nicely done to rather crude.

 

[George]

There seems to be several versions which range from nicely done to rather crude.

I prefer to think of them as either decorative or functional. :grin:

Spence

 

[wattlebuster]

Spence if you could find the time I would love to see more pics of that gun. I bet each lil scratch has its own story. thanks Allen :hatsoff:

 

[wattlebuster]

Swampy are you building this gun an if so what are the specs. thanks Allen :thumbsup:

 

[George]

Spence if you could find the time I would love to see more pics of that gun.

Don't want to hijack Swampy's topic. I asked the board to help me figure this one out and had a long conversation with several pictures. See if I've linked that topic correctly:
http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/249289/post/888459/hl//fromsearch/1/

If you need more photos I'll be glad to start a thread.

Swampy, is this a recognized way to do the side plate? I just assumed it was done that way on this rifle because it was cheap and simple to do.

Spence

 

[rabjr]

That gun is already built Wattlebuster. I was just showing a pic of the side plates that were used up here. http://www.nimrodsplace.com/nesquirrelrifle1.html

Spence I wish I knew more history on these. It does appear they saved on material making this type of side plate other than that I don't know why they made them like that. Wish I knew...