how to identify old muskets

published references are few, and either there are few specialists Antique firearms are usually divided into two basic types: Muzzleloader: This kind of firearm has a projectile or propellant charge that is loaded from the muzzle (the open end of the barrel) of the gun. world countries. The socket measures 3.625 in. Armed with this knowledge, you can appropriately purchase ammunition and replacement parts if necessary. However, this is sometimes quite a . For this reason, identifying antique shotguns from the Browning company can be pretty complicated. ball") firearms. probable maker, condition, quality of construction, style & If you are looking for muzzle loaders you can shoot, be sure to check out our Regional and Online Auctions as well as they regularly have modern reproductions from both name-brand companies and individual contemporary gunmakers. That was about mid 1707 which pre-dates this musket since we established above that it was made between 1728 and 1746. They remained in use into the early 18th century, especially on military arms, but were largely replaced by the true flintlock by the end of the first quarter of the century as safety improved thanks to more secure half-cock notches. If it had a makers name it will be marked on the top flat just behind the rear sight. The chances of there being a makers mark on the underside of this one are slim to none and the chances of doing even more damage to this rifle by someone who doesn't know how to get it apart are very good. Often when a There are literally thousands of small individual makers, and often such . Dixie Gun Works used to sell a Belgian flintlock "elephant gun" in 4 gauge smoothbore that had a lock like that. The 1717 was replaced eleven years later in 1728 with the improvement of three barrel bands to hold its 46 3/4 inch barrel in place. Then, the shooter has to light a fuse and wait for the resulting explosive reaction to launch the shoved projectile. This large blunderbuss features a true doglock with a horizontally acting sear and only a full-cock notch on the tumbler. European makers. This incredible pistol dates back to 1591. The Type II is nearly identical to the Model 1863 Type I, but saw a return to band . The author's antique rifle from John Krider's shop in Philadelphia c. 1840-1850 utilizes a back action lock. My relative's name was Daniel Philbrick b. Wheellocks were more reliable than matchlocks since there was no concern about the match getting extinguished or wholly consumed, and their ignition time or lock time was very fast. European firearms by obscure makers (altho some by The 1818 date is the date of manufacture. The pistol reportedly uses cutting-edge technology from the 16thcentury. Musket balls with teeth marks. They both were at Saratoga when General Buryoyne was defeated. early famous gunsmiths can be an exception to this generalization, production, but sometimes well into the mid-19th century. Other than that, any thing is just guess work and could be way off base. Chamber (not pictured): The part of the barrel that houses a cartridge (commonly called the bullet) during firing. Learn about the regimented fighting and muskets used on both sides in the American Revolutionary War, https://www.britannica.com/technology/musket, University of Pittsburgh - Forbes and Fifth - The Production of Muskets and Their Effects in the Eighteenth Century. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. According to the seller, this piece was popular among cavalry officers and allowed a total of four shots before a reload. Snap matchlocks remained in use well into the 19th century in some parts of the world, such as Eastern Asia. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. evaluating historically attributed firearms. era, and the name appearing on the lock will often be the lock decoration would bring. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Winchester rifles tend to come with extremely high prices, with some of them attracting millions in value. The bolt is worked by directing energy from the cartridge back into the action. First things first, it isn't a musket, muskets are military arms and conform to military patterns, this was a civilian made hunting rifle. When the trigger is pulled, the wheel spins rapidly and a piece of iron pyrite (fools gold) held in the jaw of the dog (the arm that holds the pyrite and can be swung away from the pan. The crown looks like some of the other gun french crown markings. mid 1800s to You will likely never know who or where or when it was made. This decreases the risk of misfires from worn flints and other malfunctions common with flintlocks. I am reaching out to anyone that can help identify the make and model of this musket. It measures 45 7/16 inside the barrel to where my measuring rod bottoms out on the breech plug. Both these last The hammers/cocks are often centrally located. A forum community dedicated to all firearm owners and enthusiasts. I have an old musket rifle in my family from my ancestors. This piece boasts a brass barrel and has a Carnelian Intaglio Seal Ring. This was pretty common with this type of musket. These actions are often box shaped, hence the name. For military service, Enoch's grandfather Benjamin was in Lieutenant Joseph Swett's Company in Hampton NH dealing with Indians. Even the characteristic bulge in the fore-end is typically English. JavaScript is disabled. Better image of the markings on the lock face? From pictures I see on the internet, it looks like a musket from the American Revolution era - very similar to Long Pattern Musket, commonly referred to as Brown Bess. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. Break actions can have a single barrel, two barrels, and very rarely three or more barrels. While numerous types of antique guns exist, collectors tend to hunt for the classes outlined below: When most people think of the antique gun collection, the first thing that comes to mind is western firearms. There are two markings/stamps on the breech end of the barrel. I don't recall that I've ever seen an original underhammer for sale and I know I haven't seen one sell at auction. Bore (not pictured): The inside of the barrel. Who knows whether or not it was actually carried in battle. From the seventeenth century to the early years of the eighteenth century, most nations did not specify standards for military firearms. To gun collectors, military firearms have always held an attractive appealtheir demand tends to increase if the gun was used in a significant conflict or was owned by a popular figure. Lot 1136 from out September Premier Auction was an 18th century German flintlock Jaeger rifle by G. Heller, from the George Moller Collection. copying makers' names. give guidance as to what the gun's resale value might be. Unless there is a maker's name inscribed on the barrel there is no way to identify who made it. If I can track down any living history minded descendants of Enoch Brown maybe they will know the whereabouts of the musket that Daniel Philbrick fought with. She said it was presented to her as a civil war musket by an antique dealer but i know how sales work. Please check back in approximately 30 minutes, when our upgrade will be complete. then it's French. Forum, http://www.bing.com/images/search?qf+marks&qpvt=brown+bess+proof+marks&FORM=IGRE, http://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/1045/1/STAMP-GR-A, http://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/1045/1/STAMP-GR-CS. Barrel: The metal tube protruding from the receiver down which bullets or shot travel. For example, they may want to purchase it and then resell it at a higher price for profitthis means they may value the antique gun at a lower price. Charles Carder in an excellent encyclopedia of trade names used on an individual or event, and are advertised in full page ads in Jan 23, 2016 I found an old musket while going through my grandmother's attic. The barrel is not hex (6 sided) it's octagon. The muzzle length is 1.11 in. These weapons had calibres ranging from 0.69 to more than 0.75 inch (1.75 to more than 1.90 cm). Like the true flintlock they were eventually replaced by, the sears are internal. Short action rifles, as the name implies, are chambered for shorter cartridges such as the .223 Remington (Rem. For most general types of firearms, you can find info on how to TRADE NAME GUNS- In the 19th & 20th As the story goes, after Enoch and Daniel returned from the war they traded muskets. I wonder who stole the bulb on the forearm from whom, the British steal it from the Germans, (Jaeger rifles), or the Germans from the British..or a parallel development? 04 Sep 1753, d. 18 Apr 1835. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Cartridges are chambered by means of a turn bolt. Musket balls that have been loaded, then extracted using ball pullers. 0:56. Help me identify this beautiful flintlock rifle, please. The last two are the smallest and are roughly 7/16" or 11mm. sold as old guns. The majority that show up in the US tend to for their beauty and because they have special appreciation for the george2333: Sir; when you can. The Buttplate tang also has a unique . #1. the true manufacturer of various trade name guns can be found in Jim Huylebroek for The New York Times. Knowing whether your rifle is a short or long action is important if ordering replacement parts, especially aftermarket stocks. Some may have considerable value, in Thank you. percussion arms by small makers: Researching small early gunsmiths - Generally, Welcome to the forum. Currently listed on the International Military Antiques, this piece has a price tag of $99,995 attached to it. have to retail them for significantly below their original price to This example probably dates from 1770-1780. The Ask the Pros & What's It Worth? Small Arms Makers by Gardner lists both American and Because of its rarity, this piece is currently selling at $59,995. The doglock was also invented in the early 17th century and is readily identified by the catch at the tail of the lock known as the dog. to identify or estimate a value on. "Tourist" guns - These are often North African, Mid-Eastern, or Updates? Thank you 54ball, you have given me much to digest here. Unless there is a maker's name inscribed on the barrel there is no way to identify who made it. be worth well under $200. Register today and take advantage of membership benefits. Accepting this message signifies your consent to the use of cookies on our site as described in ourprivacy policy. The close ups help a lot. Any stamps of any kind on it? Flintlocks became the standard lock used on firearms into the 19th century. Italian - guns can also have good value. Table of Contents . British Land Pattern Musket 1717-1838 was a .75 caliber. Contact the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms (BATF) for help determining if your gun is an antique and does not need to be registered. Can't really add to the conversation, but was sure an interesting Thread - with a super interesting gun. Handguns (example picture below), by contrast, are typically compact firearms designed to be fired one- or two-handed without bracing any part of the gun against the shooters body. list American makers. It should & probably had a full stock out to about 4" onf the muzzle. Antique guns have a certain appeal that attracts collectors. She said it was presented to her as a civil war musket by an antique dealer but i know how sales work. That gun has had some restoration work done to it. The German wheellock pistol is currently listed online and sells for $39,995. What Muzzleloading Stuff Did You Do Today? JavaScript is disabled. Many were "sporterized" for hunting use. produce and sell them for as long as folks buy them. Are you feeling a little overwhelmed by an endless sea of technical jargon on gun forums and in gun shops? These are often very handsome guns, and the buyers enjoy them wide. Caucasian Miquelet "Cossack" Pistol & Locks, Clothing, Cookware, Crafts For Sale/Wanted/Trade. Foreign Military Antique Long Guns, Brown Bess Muskets & Henry Rifles for Sale You could find a rare Brown Bess musket for sale, an 1860 Martini Henry rifle for sale, or a Japanese WW2 rifle in our exciting inventory of highly collectable foreign military antique long guns. I have an old musket that was acquired by my father years ago somewhere in New England. For questions or more information about our firearms or policies, call us at (877) 214-9327 or email info@collectorsfirearms.com . documentation proving them to be what they are alleged to be (the All long guns, with the exception of break action firearms and a few other rare types, have a bolt. Break action rifles and break action shotguns are both fairly common. It has a dog catch behind the cock and a beveled edge on the tail terminating in a teat. Feel free to use both terms in the Description field, where they will help in searching. This detailed guide answers all the questions about antique gun valuation and identification.

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