help rifle question

[bugbaja]

Hi
I have my great Grandfather rifle it has no markings on it. It's 49 inches long double barrel over under 12 shot and 45 gauge percussion.

 

[Jobe Holiday]

Congratulations on being the current custodian of a great family heirloom!
J.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

Welcome to the forums.

You're fortunate to have this antique.

 

[Private Watkins]

She's a beauty... welcome from Oklahoma.

 

[Patrick H]

That's a fabulous piece. It's very odd that there are no markings. I imagine there would be some markings in hidden locations, but I don't advocate trying to remove screws or anything of that nature.

 

[kevikens]

A civilian piece, I would estimate about 1850. The over under combination is quite unusual and I would guess in the condition it appears to be it has some real value. If I were travelling the Oregon trail, circa 1850, I would love to have had that in my prairie schooner. The gun maker may have left his name on the metal under the wood. By the way it is probably 12 gauge smooth bore and .45 caliber rifle. If you want to look for those makers marks you might want to have someone familiar with muzzle loading arms do any disassembly to find them.

 

[bugbaja]

A civilian piece, I would estimate about 1850. The over under combination is quite unusual and I would guess in the condition it appears to be it has some real value. If I were travelling the Oregon trail, circa 1850, I would love to have had that in my prairie schooner. The gun maker may have left his name on the metal under the wood. By the way it is probably 12 gauge smooth bore and .45 caliber rifle. If you want to look for those makers marks you might want to have someone familiar with muzzle loading arms do any disassembly to find them.

I had a local gun guy look at it he didn't know the maker but he offered me 800 for it . Any ideal value? Its not for sale but like to ad to the insurance policy.

Thanks for the replies Mark

 

[kevikens]

I had a local gun guy look at it he didn't know the maker but he offered me 800 for it . Any ideal value? Its not for sale but like to ad to the insurance policy.

Thanks for the replies Mark

I would insure it for at least $1,200-$1500. It may be hard to establish its actual value because this kind of arm is so unusual. Not the sort of firearm you are going to find on Gun action sites but for that reason hard to estimate. You may insure it for what you will but if you ever have to make a claim an insurance company may balk at paying up because it will be difficult to establish its value. Beautiful piece. Even without a family connection I would be loathe to part with it.

 

[Patrick H]

I have thought about this since chiming in earlier. That piece was made by a very competent gunsmith. It was made for a sporting gentleman--thus the rifle barrel and fowling barrel on one shoulder stock. The stock looks like fairly normal walnut (if it's maple, the varnish or oil finish is so darkened as to hide the maple). That said, I believe a gunsmith capable of making such a piece for a client who desired such a piece would have signed it somewhere. Heed kevikens advice about insuring it and keep all your photos of it on a disk in your safety deposit box with other valuables. Don't try to take any parts off of it yourself. You can find numerous double barrel percussion rifles by google searching those particular words, but I have yet to find a rifle / shotgun combination of this vintage.

 

[bugbaja]

I have thought about this since chiming in earlier. That piece was made by a very competent gunsmith. It was made for a sporting gentleman--thus the rifle barrel and fowling barrel on one shoulder stock. The stock looks like fairly normal walnut (if it's maple, the varnish or oil finish is so darkened as to hide the maple). That said, I believe a gunsmith capable of making such a piece for a client who desired such a piece would have signed it somewhere. Heed kevikens advice about insuring it and keep all your photos of it on a disk in your safety deposit box with other valuables. Don't try to take any parts off of it yourself. You can find numerous double barrel percussion rifles by google searching those particular words, but I have yet to find a rifle / shotgun combination of this vintage.

I have thought about this since chiming in earlier. That piece was made by a very competent gunsmith. It was made for a sporting gentleman--thus the rifle barrel and fowling barrel on one shoulder stock. The stock looks like fairly normal walnut (if it's maple, the varnish or oil finish is so darkened as to hide the maple). That said, I believe a gunsmith capable of making such a piece for a client who desired such a piece would have signed it somewhere. Heed kevikens advice about insuring it and keep all your photos of it on a disk in your safety deposit box with other valuables. Don't try to take any parts off of it yourself. You can find numerous double barrel percussion rifles by google searching those particular words, but I have yet to find a rifle / shotgun combination of this vintage.

 

[bugbaja]

Thanks for the responses if ever get the maker I'll post it. Will probably remain a mystery

 

[originalrebelyell]

Nice over - under rifle 800 is too low. If it is in working condition 1.500 maybe 2,000 to the right person. Personally with family history I would never sell it. I would not suggest taking apart you could damage something. Keep it oiled to keep it from rusting. It a nice piece.

 

[johan_steele]

I would suggest contacting Jim Goergan, Leroy Merz or Dennis Fulmer and see if they would be willing to look. I've seen rifles like this before and they have seemed to demand a premium. $800 would be theft, I would certainly insure it for at least twice that.

 

[Jobe Holiday]

The following is with no disrespect to the arm being discussed: We should remember the antique arms market isn't as stable as it was a few years ago. The rifle/shotgun combination shown isn't as uncommon as you may think. It was one of the most popular designs made in New York State, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. At the last Baltimore show there was a signed Jacob Harder, Lock Haven PA over under swivel breech, rifle/rifle with a tag price of $925. It was still there when I left late Saturday. The one being discussed isn't even signed. It is a very nice, untouched, collectible arm and should certainly be preserved and appreciated for what it is. For insurance purposes antique arms are usually insured for 2x the market value.
J.

 

[bugbaja]

I have no intentions of selling the rifle. Thanks for the response. I hope to find out more about it someday. I would like to say you all been great cool site happy I found it.
Thanks Mark

 

[Package4]

Nice piece, treasure it!

 

[Story]

Bugbaja,
You might try registering here, posting the same questions.
http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/