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Need info on old rifle
- Thread starter Glennster
- Start date
Mike Irwin
Staff
By "on the side" do you mean on the lock plate?
IIRC there was a Golcher that made locks, only locks.
Yep, I was right.
Here's a link with some information. http://armchairgunshow.com/Z-AGG03.htm#golcher
IIRC there was a Golcher that made locks, only locks.
Yep, I was right.
Here's a link with some information. http://armchairgunshow.com/Z-AGG03.htm#golcher
Mike Irwin
Staff
I get home to my reference books tomorrow night.
If you don't hear from me by Monday night, send me a private message and rattle my cage.
If you don't hear from me by Monday night, send me a private message and rattle my cage.
James Golcher, of Philadelphia Co., PA, made complete guns as well as gun locks; in this case, one of his locks was used by David Oblinger, who was a gunsmith in Piqua, Ohio, from before 1859 to 1890. The gun may well be pre-Civil War, but many conservative hunters bought and used muzzle loaders well into the era of the repeating rifle, partly due to the cost of fixed ammunition. As to precussion guns, the percussion cap came into use in the U.S. around 1830 and by the Civil War almost all the new guns were percussion, though some customers still wanted flintlocks because they didn't require "store bought" caps.
By the Civil War, few gunsmiths actually made guns, any more than they do today. Locks, barrels, and rough finished stocks, as well as furniture, were available from gunsmith supply houses, like Little in Pittsburgh.
Value on those rifles depends, like most guns, on condition. Caplock rifles in good condition usually bring in the $2000-3000 range, but a really super one can go a lot higher, and a junker (there are a lot of them) much less.
Jim
By the Civil War, few gunsmiths actually made guns, any more than they do today. Locks, barrels, and rough finished stocks, as well as furniture, were available from gunsmith supply houses, like Little in Pittsburgh.
Value on those rifles depends, like most guns, on condition. Caplock rifles in good condition usually bring in the $2000-3000 range, but a really super one can go a lot higher, and a junker (there are a lot of them) much less.
Jim
Mike Irwin
Staff
Jim,
One problem...
Joseph Golcher was also active in Philadelphia, at roughly the same time, and also made locks. I've seen some discussion of whether the two were related or not.
One problem...
Joseph Golcher was also active in Philadelphia, at roughly the same time, and also made locks. I've seen some discussion of whether the two were related or not.
Value
I would place the value maybe under a thousand, if it is in decent shape. Condition is everything. I have a percussion half stock hanging on the wall here from about the same era. Probably 1850's to 70's, but even though it looks real nice, with excellent wood and fixtures etc, it does not have a shootable bore, really. I paid 350 for it. Might bring more in some places or circumstances, just because it is not trashed or broken. But unless it is shootable condition or a in demand maker, I would not go 2-3000 I would not think.
I would place the value maybe under a thousand, if it is in decent shape. Condition is everything. I have a percussion half stock hanging on the wall here from about the same era. Probably 1850's to 70's, but even though it looks real nice, with excellent wood and fixtures etc, it does not have a shootable bore, really. I paid 350 for it. Might bring more in some places or circumstances, just because it is not trashed or broken. But unless it is shootable condition or a in demand maker, I would not go 2-3000 I would not think.