After taking a closer look at the lock, it looks like it really doesn't fit. I now believe that the lock isn't original to the rifle. My old eyes aren't too good, so I could be wrong about the fit of the lock. Where is this at? An interesting rifle. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for the replies. This rifle is from Oceana in Wyoming County, located in Southern West Virginia. The story goes the first settler of our county, John Cooke, used the rifle in the Revolutionary War (we can prove he did fight in the Rev. War) and brought it with him when he settled here in 1799. At a later date, one of his son's (or grandson's) converted it from a flintlock to percussion and passed it on down through the family line. The story goes on to say that it may have been used by one of his descendant in the Civil War.
Two Civil War units were formed here in Oceana. In the fall of 1861, his descendant, William N. Cooke began recruiting Union soldiers in Oceana and his name was the first enrolled in Co. I, 8th Virginia Infantry, and later mounted and placed under command of Gen. W. W. Averell as the 7th WV Cavalry. During the same time, George S. Patton (grandfather of WW II Gen. George S. Patton, Jr.) raised a unit in the Kanawha valley called the 1st Kanawha Riflemen. This unit and other units in the area became part of the 22nd Infantry Regiment which was organized July 1861 as part of the Army of Kanawha. The men from Oceana were enrolled in Co. G, 22nd VA. Our area was also home to several Home Guard units.
Although I'm the museum historian, black powder rifles are not my area of expertise and I've been unable to locate anyone in Southern West Virginia who could help...which is why I'm reaching to those in the forum. Did do some research on the internet and found a couple of photos of a .36 cal Leman Plains Rifle that really resembles the trigger guard and percussion assembly on our gun. (See attached photos). But again, they could have been added when converted from flintlock.
As for the tape, we have debated removing it. On one hand we would like to keep the rifle in the condition it was passed down through the generations, tape, bailing wire and all, to retain its historical value. On the other hand, it would be nice to have it restored and looking good. We are still debating...
On another note, have been reading through the forums and found many interesting items. Our museum has a section on the Civil War so will most likely be posting and asking more questions in the future. We have also sponsored a Civil War reenactment and living history the past six years and learn something new every time we have one.
Thank you all for the help and comments!
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