Percussion cap rifle by Jack Crockford

[bmorton31411]

I have inherited a percussion cap rifle made by Jack Crockford. Fired it as a boy back in the 1970s, not fired since then to my knowledge. In great shape looking at it's condition. Stored in gun safe with humidity packs. What caliber might it be.....what do I need to know about it?

 

[ETipp]

Interesting. My knowledge is limited, in terms of older ML, so I'll go off of three things that stands out the most.

It has no double set triggers and the sights are very low profile. The stock is also made of high choice wood. Very pretty wood.

If you have some sort of precision measuring device, such as a caliper or micrometer, that will get you in the ball park of bore diameter to help determine caliber.

I'll leave the rest of it to the more in the know ML members on here.

 

[Notchy Bob]

That is an interesting rifle, and from the photos, it appears to be well made. @ETipp made some good observations... The single trigger is unusual for a "plains" rifle of this type, but that and the low-profile sights suggest this gun was built for a serious hunter.

There is no way to determine caliber from the photos. As Mr. Tripp said, a caliper type micrometer can give you an approximate bore size, but for a really accurate measurement, it would be worth a trip to a machinist or gunsmith to have the bore checked with plug gauges. I would not remove the breechplug on that rifle, which you would need to do to slug the bore, but slugging it is another good way to determine the size. The little triangular bore gauges that you poke in the muzzle are not reliable. A dial caliper doesn't cost that much in today's dollars and is an essential tool for serious shooters.

Bear in mind, bore size in muzzleloaders means the land-to-land measurement. With American breechloaders, they measure bore size from bottom of groove to bottom of groove.

One of your best resources for getting started may be your NMLRA state Field Representative. This page has them all listed: NMLRA Field Reps

The Field Rep should be able to get you in touch with a club, gunsmith, or shooter in your area who can examine the rifle, answer your questions, and get you started safely.

That looks to be a nice rifle. Lucky you! Thanks for showing it. Enjoy it safely.

Notchy Bob

 

[coupe]

It is not necessary to remove the breech plug to slug the bore. A brass rod close to bore size 8"- 10" long slid into the bore before the lead slug is installed will pop out the slug with back n forth motions, just catch the slug so it doesn't hit the floor and deform it. Simple.
coupe

 

[bmorton31411]

That is an interesting rifle, and from the photos, it appears to be well made. @ETipp made some good observations... The single trigger is unusual for a "plains" rifle of this type, but that and the low-profile sights suggest this gun was built for a serious hunter.

There is no way to determine caliber from the photos. As Mr. Tripp said, a caliper type micrometer can give you an approximate bore size, but for a really accurate measurement, it would be worth a trip to a machinist or gunsmith to have the bore checked with plug gauges. I would not remove the breechplug on that rifle, which you would need to do to slug the bore, but slugging it is another good way to determine the size. The little triangular bore gauges that you poke in the muzzle are not reliable. A dial caliper doesn't cost that much in today's dollars and is an essential tool for serious shooters.

Bear in mind, bore size in muzzleloaders means the land-to-land measurement. With American breechloaders, they measure bore size from bottom of groove to bottom of groove.

One of your best resources for getting started may be your NMLRA state Field Representative. This page has them all listed: NMLRA Field Reps

The Field Rep should be able to get you in touch with a club, gunsmith, or shooter in your area who can examine the rifle, answer your questions, and get you started safely.

That looks to be a nice rifle. Lucky you! Thanks for showing it. Enjoy it safely.

Notchy Bob

Thank you!

 

[bmorton31411]

Interesting. My knowledge is limited, in terms of older ML, so I'll go off of three things that stands out the most.

It has no double set triggers and the sights are very low profile. The stock is also made of high choice wood. Very pretty wood.

If you have some sort of precision measuring device, such as a caliper or micrometer, that will get you in the ball park of bore diameter to help determine caliber.

I'll leave the rest of it to the more in the know ML members on here.

Thank you.