Help me Identify this old rifle

Joined
Jan 13, 2025
Found this in my grandpa's gun safe. I have no history or other info than the gun itself
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If it's a kit there should be a maker's name stamped on the barrel. The wood looks like the finish was removed or it was not finished in the first place. You see wood like that on guns that have been left outdoors for years and bleached by the sun or are part of a new kit gun that hasn't been put together yet. Things that bother me are the nose cap and the first ramrod thimble sticking out past the stock at the end of the barrel. The splice in the stock in front of the lock with that brass plate. Those circular spots on the trigger guard from the molding process. And the lock bolt heads on the side opposite from the lock. All of those things of concern would cause me to lean toward it being a kit as mentioned above.

My usual disclaimer is that I am not an expert and it makes a big difference to see something in person.
 
The stock is certainly modern, but the lock or lockplate and even the barrel MAY be original. It is an early percussion lock but is not a converted flintlock so age would be 1830-40s. Reasons - no sign of any removal of pan or filler for frizzen spring pin. The nipple extension is usual for that time and the screw bears the signs of a lot of poor-fitting turnscrews over a long period of time. There should be some stampings on the underside of the barrel and on the inside of the lock to identify the maker. Is the barrel rifled and what is the calibre?

I suspect it could be a rather old, rusted rifle/musket with a rotten stock that needed 'fixing'. The barrel has certainly seen some rust removal. The stock was bought in and the barrel and lock fitted to it.
 
I was searching for pins to attach the barrel to the stock. I see two pins, but I can't tell if the pin near the middle thimble is holding the thimble in place or is used to hold the barrel. The pin hole down lower, near the rear sight is a barrel pin. There are usually 3 pins to attach the barrel and a pin for each of the 3(usually) thimbles.
 
I was searching for pins to attach the barrel to the stock. I see two pins, but I can't tell if the pin near the middle thimble is holding the thimble in place or is used to hold the barrel. The pin hole down lower, near the rear sight is a barrel pin. There are usually 3 pins to attach the barrel and a pin for each of the 3(usually) thimbles.

@scarlettsutton

If you have a selection of nails, you can find the right diameter and nip them off to the correct length.

In fact, you might want to delegate that task to the young person holding the rifle in your second photo.
First I'd suggest getting this book via interlibrary loan and let the learning begin.
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I believe it is a "Traditions" Kentucky Rifle. I don't think it is very old, maybe 20 years, no offense intended, but it does not look as though it has been taken very good care of. I had the same rifle as my first muzzleloading shoulder arm. It was a great shooter with patched .490 round balls over 50 - 60 grains of 2fg powder.
 
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This link will be of interest you. It has photos of the kit for your rifle in the box.

The two part stock puzzled me, frankly. Seeing the kit laid out made it obvious what is being referenced.

Link:

 
@scarlettsutton

Another notion - depending on the climate of the child's school system, refinishing (or finishing) Grandpa's rifle would be an excellent shop class project. Lots to be learned here, tangible and cerebrally.
 
If you have a selection of nails, you can find the right diameter and nip them off to the correct length.
You misunderstood my text.
You thought I lost the pins.

What I meant was— In that photo, I do not see enough pin holes in the stock for the barrel and the thimbles. MY rifle has a total of 6 pin holes in the stock.
 
You misunderstood my text.
You thought I lost the pins.

What I meant was— In that photo, I do not see enough pin holes in the stock for the barrel and the thimbles. MY rifle has a total of 6 pin holes in the stock.

You misunderstood my post.
I quoted your text for @scarlettsutton 's benefit, to point out that common nails can be a field expedient source for pins.
I then followed this up with a pointer to FOXFIRE, which is where I learned this trick and others.
 

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