Warranted is only mark on rifle

R

redneckradtech

Inactive
My wife recently inherited a ball and cap rifle. Was part of her father’s collection. Origin or history is unknown to us now. The Barrel is 39 inches and overall length is 55 inches. It has large bore 7/16 inch (tape measure). Cannot find any markings on the outside of rifle except the word “Warranted”. I wonder if anyone has information or where I should research this rifle.
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Pennsylvania or Kentucky rifle?

I do believe that "warranted" literally meant that there was supposed to be a warranty.

I'm no expert.:D;)
 
There may be some other markings on the bottom of the barrel- if it is removed. Also, there might be a marking on the lock somewhere, but that may not be the maker of the rifle.

The United States is one of the few places in the world that did not require makers to proof or mark their arms in any way until more modern times. Chances are there may be no more markings on it.
 
Looks like a custom rifle to me

At first I thought it was a production gun, like CVA but now I'm leaning more toward a custom M/L, made privately. The "warranted lable is identifying the custom lock maker. If so, there should be other makings on the barrel and I suspect it too will be from a custom shop. You are going to have to break it down and let us know what you find. it's "In the Spirit" of the Kentucky rifles. It's probable that you may never find out who the custom maker is but I'd think he shoudl be proud enough put his mark on this fine rifle. .... :)


http://www.dixiegunworks.com/produc...=6143&osCsid=96c31ee337ead521fa0b4729ae6d5d89


Be Safe !!!
 
This rifle has the all the appearances of being a rifle that was custome built. The workmanship is pretty good on it. Many original locks were marked warranteed - this lock looks new - by that, I mean it is not an antique. The rifle may have some original parts on it. If it was purchased in the 70s, my guess would be that it may have been made anywhere from the 30s to that time. It appears that it had captured barrel keys on it - the hammer may be an original but the lockplate just looks too "good" on it. As I said, it looks like good workmanship on it and if the bore is good, it looks like it would be a good shooter. When I began shooting BP in the 60s, there were a number of lockmakers, barrel makers, etc. that advertised in Muzzle Blasts - the NMLRA publication - that are not around today. As suggested, pull the barrel and see if there are any markings on any of the floats or on the breech end. There were a number of barrel makers in the 60s - Bill Large was well known as wee others. I might be proven wrong and it wouldn't be the first time - but I'm still guessing that this was a custom made piece - possibly with some original parts. Even if it ends up nnot being an "antique" - it's a great looking rifle. Let us know if you find anymore out about it or if there are any other markings.
 
This reminds me of a story told to me by a gunsmith who was handed a well used Pennsylvania rifle for restoration. He took it, repaired, test fired it, polished it and made it look brand new and then handed it back to the owner. When asked how much he was owed the smith said nothing. The gun was an original Leman rifle. The smith was Frank Leman probably great grandson of the original Leman that made it. He pointed out the name Leman and the word "warranteed" on the barrel and said it was still under warrentee by the Lemans. Frank recently passed away. He was a very interesting guy to swap stories with.
 
It is a Hopkins and Allen Minuteman rifle from the 1970's. They were a low cost rifle available in finished or kit form, dthis one looks like a kit. The locks were marked warranted, as were many of the original guns built in the 19th century. There is no doubt about it, I recently built one from a kit still in box that came up at an auction.
 
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