Percussion rifle

[Salt River Johnny]

Anyone have an ideal perhaps what area in the U.S. this 36 Cal rifle may have been made? No markings found. Thank you

 

[sheriff john]

Where did the rifle come from ? Not being flippant, but a little history if you have it might help someone form an answer other than an educated guess. Neat old-timer, by the way.

 

[Salt River Johnny]

It came out of a large gun collection here in Central Missouri. That is all I know.

 

[Hammond79]

No expert by any means, but this could possibly be a Derringer, Henry, Leman, or other PA shop trade rifle. It has certainly seen hard use, the damage to the lock plate below the nipple and the broken hammer certainly show that. Looks to be originally percussion. Boy if that thing could talk.

 

[sheriff john]

You know, Salt River, I'm originally from Cole County - moved to N.E. Mo, in 2004. You rifle has a pretty generic overall look to many I've seen in Missouri over the past 60 years, tho' most have been half-stocks. We had many gunsmiths operating in the state prior to 1900.

Much attention's been focused on St. Louis, very little on lesser-known makers until Victor A. Paul's book "Missouri Gunsmiths to 1900". In fact, there were about 1,100 gunsmiths in Missouri prior to 1900.

Without knowing the collection/collector from whom you purchased the rifle, I'd not rule out the possibility the rifle was made here. Many of the smiths migrated from other places where they learned the craft, so the styles moved with them - along with tools, templates, etc.

 

[Salt River Johnny]

I agree with you. I have documented in my area from Howard ,Randolph ,Boone,Macon and Monroe Counties there were at the least 20 gun makers from 1820s to 1850. There was a mix of guns in the collection. Demick St. Louis and others. I sold a nice marked 1850 made half stock with a patch box. It was sweet from the collection.