Joseph Golcher gunmaker?
- Thread starter JDOLBY
- Start date
JD
It's my understanding that Joseph Golcher was not a gunmaker but a lockmaker. He was active in the Philadelphia area in the early to mid 1800's.
The gunmaker may or may not have put his name on the barrel.
Could you post a picture of the whole rifle ? (Not just the lock area) I would be interested to see it.
Dean
It's my understanding that Joseph Golcher was not a gunmaker but a lockmaker. He was active in the Philadelphia area in the early to mid 1800's.
The gunmaker may or may not have put his name on the barrel.
Could you post a picture of the whole rifle ? (Not just the lock area) I would be interested to see it.
Dean
Harley Nolden
Staff In Memoriam
Information sent by separate email
HJN
HJN
Best I can find is a reference to JH Johnson and Great Western Gunworks is that he was born 1811 and died 1889.(This was listed in an ad trying to sell a rifle with these markings. I don't know where the seller came up with the info.) I find it a little curious that there is both a makers name and a business name on the barrel. Sounds more like a modern repro, but who knows. Try using Google for Great Western Gunworks and follow the threads, you will find the ad I mentioned.
Dean
Dean
Thanks Deadin
Yep I saw ad. Check this link.
http://www.lesserbooks.com/cgi-bin/lesser/19281.html
That book is expensive.
Here are some more catalog books:
http://www.rayrilingarmsbooks.com/cgi-bin/rrb455.cgi/3830.html
http://digital.library.pitt.edu/cgi...lue=Great Western Gun Works (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
Looks like Johnston was a dealer/distributor and Great Western is the manufacture. Catalog starts in 1879. Great Western made reproductions of famous guns made by colt and others.
Your first impression seems correct about my gun being a reproduction.
I guess i will need to buy the catalog to find when mine was made and find a dealer for an approx. value.
Thanks
Jd
Yep I saw ad. Check this link.
http://www.lesserbooks.com/cgi-bin/lesser/19281.html
That book is expensive.
Here are some more catalog books:
http://www.rayrilingarmsbooks.com/cgi-bin/rrb455.cgi/3830.html
http://digital.library.pitt.edu/cgi...lue=Great Western Gun Works (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
Looks like Johnston was a dealer/distributor and Great Western is the manufacture. Catalog starts in 1879. Great Western made reproductions of famous guns made by colt and others.
Your first impression seems correct about my gun being a reproduction.
I guess i will need to buy the catalog to find when mine was made and find a dealer for an approx. value.
Thanks
Jd
FOUND IT! Thank you Google!!
Took 2 hours of weeding though. Here's the Link:
http://www.korns.org/Ephriam_2.html
Looks like mine was made between 1879-1883.
Original price was $15.00 bucks
I must have a upgraded special order model with the adjustable sights, better wood and hardware. NICE
JD
Took 2 hours of weeding though. Here's the Link:
http://www.korns.org/Ephriam_2.html
Looks like mine was made between 1879-1883.
Original price was $15.00 bucks
I must have a upgraded special order model with the adjustable sights, better wood and hardware. NICE
JD
http://www.catskillarchive.com/rrextra/sk7711.Html
This is a good read. 10th paragraph mentions Great Western Gunworks.
Jd
This is a good read. 10th paragraph mentions Great Western Gunworks.
Jd
Harley Nolden
Staff In Memoriam
Is it Johnson or Johnston?
I have a J.H. Johnston, 1863-1915
Pittsburgh PA who ran Great Western Gun Works until 1890. The Company was in retail business from 1865-1923
HJN
I have a J.H. Johnston, 1863-1915
Pittsburgh PA who ran Great Western Gun Works until 1890. The Company was in retail business from 1865-1923
HJN
Bingo! 
I do believe you have nailed your rifle down. This is the kind of authentication I like to see. Not just somebody's ad on an auction sight.
Do you have its history? Family gun or anything about where it came from? This is what I love about the old ones is the hours of research you can spend trying to learn about them.
About a year ago I picked up an Ohio Half-stock percussion rifle by Wm. Kail of Tuscarawas county Ohio and have been researching since. My wife is into geneolgy, so it has been kind of a joint project. (Actually it is the first gun in 43 years of marriage that I have carried into the house that she likes. Guess it's a keeper.)
Your rifle looks (from the pictures) to be in excellent condition. What is its caliber and do you plan to fire it?
Dean
I do believe you have nailed your rifle down. This is the kind of authentication I like to see. Not just somebody's ad on an auction sight.Do you have its history? Family gun or anything about where it came from? This is what I love about the old ones is the hours of research you can spend trying to learn about them.
About a year ago I picked up an Ohio Half-stock percussion rifle by Wm. Kail of Tuscarawas county Ohio and have been researching since. My wife is into geneolgy, so it has been kind of a joint project. (Actually it is the first gun in 43 years of marriage that I have carried into the house that she likes. Guess it's a keeper.)
Your rifle looks (from the pictures) to be in excellent condition. What is its caliber and do you plan to fire it?
Dean
Barrel is marked Johnston without th J.H.
Passed down to me by my father. He must have aquired it in the late 50's or early 60's, but it hung on the wall in our dining room for 33 years.
It is in near mint unfired condition as far as I can tell. Must be a 30 cal. the bore measures 1 mm.
JD
Passed down to me by my father. He must have aquired it in the late 50's or early 60's, but it hung on the wall in our dining room for 33 years.
It is in near mint unfired condition as far as I can tell. Must be a 30 cal. the bore measures 1 mm.
JD