Any Idea what this is?

Also what is it?

I have recently purchased a pistol that has US 1847 stamped on the right side of the barrel and I have been told it is a Colt Dragoon. My research shows that this pistol was made beginning in 1848. There are Calvary and Indians engraved on the cylinder with the name W.I. Ormsby and the serial numbers all match (E56535) Does anyone know where I can get info on this piece?
 
As per my post #10 above, I think it is a trade gun from the 1830s to 1850s.

your link must be sending me to a different item then because the one i seeing your link isnt a carbine , its a 1/2 stock fowler ,. could be a trade gun or at least a gun of trade which includes any number of guns both smooth and rifled .

without seeing it and looking for the tell tail signs , its pretty hard to say if it was cut down or not . as i said , it could be . however the transition from O to R is real short and normally when a piece is cut down that transition isnt changed .
But im thinking again its a Calvary carbine

in other words something built for the same purpuse as this was built for

http://collectorebooks.com/jamesauction/civilwar/31337.htm
 
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The Belgian proofs are of the pre-1898 type, so you know it's at least that old; there are a couple of different letter stamps up towards the muzzle that aren't really clear (maybe "HD" and something else?). These should be the initials of the company or companies that made the barrels or the entire gun. "HD" makes me think of Henrion & Dassy, but I can't see if that's actually what the marks are.
 
your link must be sending me to a different item then because the one i seeing your link isnt a carbine , its a 1/2 stock fowler ,.

Exactly, I was just trying to show turkeychaser a link to a trade gun (not a carbine) because it looked similar to his.
 
H.D markings on the barrel

Here is a better view of the markings. Hope this can help solve more of the mystery!
 

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There are a couple of different possibilities for these initials, but I can't think of away to narrow it down past these; "HR" may stand for "Henry Riga", a barrel-maker who lived from 1848 to 1908, and the "HD" could be "Henrion & Dassy", but there were so many different Belgian manufacturers and guild-houses in business at that time, it may be impossible to figure this one out.
 
Still trying

I think I am going to take it to a antique arms guy and find out what they say? Any Ideas as to where I should take it or get in touch with. I am in NJ. You guys have given me a renewed interest in this gun. Thanks
 
Depends.....

If you are in northern Jersey, you might start by calling around to shops close to New York City. I am thinking do a search (online) for Bogota, NJ gun shops and start calling. I would not carry the shotgun across the line into New York until you talk to someone.

If you are in South Jersey, like Williamstown, Philadelphia is your answer. But again, I would call around so as not to waste a lot of gas.
 
Having lived in Northern NJ for 50 years, I can offer that there are no gunshops in that area that will know anything about it. Gunshops are a rare thing in NJ, getting rarer, and are not fun or informative places to go, especially with old stuff. Frankly... I don't think there is a single place that would be of assistance anyplace in the state.

Suggestion would be to find out when the next Forks of the Delaware Gunshow is in Allentown PA, and to carry it there. This show is run by an antique arms collectors club, and you should be able to take it to a few of the tables there run by the antique guys and ask. There will be mobs of people looking at all of the black rifles, but a number ot tables will have guys with antique arms for display, sale, and trade. Find them and ask.


Willie

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Thanks

Thanks Doc I live about 5 minutes from Phillipsburg, and I looked up the antique show its May 10th and 11th. Will take it there and see what happens. Who know might even run across a BP shotgun for sale? :-)
 
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