antique muzzleloader ID help
- Thread starter mike.shoaff
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mike.shoaff
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The tang at the rear of the barrel is bent and sticking up. The side plates are not fitting right in the recesses for them, it is missing the barrel band at the muzzle end. I would like to get it repaired but keep the old look. I attached a few more pictures.
Thanks,
Thanks,
Samuel Glover of Tennessee's Sullivan County made a similar rifle. The stock opposite of the lockplate has a similar shape as does the escutcheon that secures the lock screw. However, the forearm is different and toe line is straight and not fishbelly shaped (or is that camera angle?). The trigger guard is different but a lot of times those were salvaged from other guns. Glover also had a cheekpiece. See page 112 of Jerry Noble's Notes on Southern Long Rifles, Vol. 2. From James B. Whisker's Gunsmiths and Allied Tradesmen of Tennessee, pages 34-35: Samuel Glover was born in 1830 and was a gunsmith from 1860-89 near Bluff City. He may have been associated with John Glover of Johnson City. Samuel was married to Elizabeth (born Eliza Pile of Beaver Creek Post Office of VA).
From David Byrd's East Tennessee Hog Rifles, Byrd puts Glover's birthyear as 1827 and year of death as 1912. Most of his rifles used sideplates and often installed patch boxes in his rifles. During the Civil War Glover was in the Confederate Army and rose to the rank of sergeant. He is buried in Blountville, TN. See page 57 (and illustrations up to page 66).
Rueben Luster (see Byrd) also carved some stocks relief panel like yours, but no escutcheon is seen (see page 101). Christopher J. McInturff used a similar upside down escutcheon, but the relief panel in more round. Ditto with Squire Runion (see Byrd age 135-138).
It is noteworthy that the relief panel is cut off near the wrist. This is unusual.
The above is not a positive identification of your rifle. More research is required. If you ever get to Woodbury, KY, you should show it to Hershel House and ask for his opinion. BTW, do not do any restoration on the stock. It's took early for that.
From David Byrd's East Tennessee Hog Rifles, Byrd puts Glover's birthyear as 1827 and year of death as 1912. Most of his rifles used sideplates and often installed patch boxes in his rifles. During the Civil War Glover was in the Confederate Army and rose to the rank of sergeant. He is buried in Blountville, TN. See page 57 (and illustrations up to page 66).
Rueben Luster (see Byrd) also carved some stocks relief panel like yours, but no escutcheon is seen (see page 101). Christopher J. McInturff used a similar upside down escutcheon, but the relief panel in more round. Ditto with Squire Runion (see Byrd age 135-138).
It is noteworthy that the relief panel is cut off near the wrist. This is unusual.
The above is not a positive identification of your rifle. More research is required. If you ever get to Woodbury, KY, you should show it to Hershel House and ask for his opinion. BTW, do not do any restoration on the stock. It's took early for that.
mike.shoaff
Inactive
Great information, thanks!
Would it be a good idea to just have the stock glued where it is cracked? I would not want to touch the finish. At the bottom of the barrel there must have been some small steel loops that are broken off. The loops were engaged by pins thru the stock to secure it. I thought of maybe having those fixed.
Thanks,
Would it be a good idea to just have the stock glued where it is cracked? I would not want to touch the finish. At the bottom of the barrel there must have been some small steel loops that are broken off. The loops were engaged by pins thru the stock to secure it. I thought of maybe having those fixed.
Thanks,
For stock restoration work I would use hide glue.
Now, for stock repair I would use clear acraglass.
It's hard for me to tell from your images, but are there thimbles/pipes now? You should do your best to match them as close as possible. They were pinned in.
BTW, there is a "restoration" class at TSJC this summer. I'm not interested because it's not the type of restoration I want to learn. I'm waiting for Wallace Gusler to teach it again.
Now, for stock repair I would use clear acraglass.
It's hard for me to tell from your images, but are there thimbles/pipes now? You should do your best to match them as close as possible. They were pinned in.
BTW, there is a "restoration" class at TSJC this summer. I'm not interested because it's not the type of restoration I want to learn. I'm waiting for Wallace Gusler to teach it again.
I'm not sure what you're talking about. There is one ramrod thimble remaining. The one towards the front of the barrel is missing but the mount is still there. The nose cap at the front of the stock is missing. I would let somebody that knows what they're doing do the repair work to the stock.
mike.shoaff
Inactive
Yes the stock nose cap is missing, actually it looks like there is half of it still there. Looks like the brass part remaining that the ramrod goes in was included in the brass cap at the end of the stock. See new pic. I am checking into guys who do antique gun work. I have emailed a couple of them. I want to leave the stock and barrel finish as is, just repair it some.
Thanks,
Thanks,