Antique Heavy Barrel Target rifle w/scope

Gentlemen, a big "thank you" to you all (especially tacfoley) for your input. As I said, I'm no novice to firearms but this one is out of my comfort zone. As always, you guys are great in terms of sharing information and points to ponder. I'll get to actually see the rifle on Tuesday and thanks to you, I have a pretty good idea of what to look for and how much to budget.
 
If and when it gets to be yours, remember that Jeff Tanner over here in UK can make you any size ball mould you need. He is VERY reasonable, both regarding price and delivery time, and remember that you don't pay the 20% UK sales tax.

Lots of folks here can offer you advice on the shooting of it, and getting the right size projectile and patch thickness - even load.

tac
 
Here is a picture of my bench rest rifle and it hasn't the drop in the stock so i am thinking it is a off hand target rifle or just a heavy hunting rifle with a scope mounted which according to Roberts book on American muzzle loading rifles was done and some of the early rifles are heavy
001.jpg

This gun has the false muzzle and also the front brass rest (screw sticking down on bottom of barrel) and was made by Patrick Smith in Buffalo and since the serial number starts with 1857 i think this is the year it was made
 

Attachments

  • 001.jpg
    001.jpg
    15.1 KB · Views: 140
Hard to imagine that being a hunting rifle of any sort with a false muzzle and a barrel that must weigh 25lb!

Interesting piece though. Would be great fun to work up loads and see what it shoots like.
 
Sent to me by a friend; the following is excerpted, and paraphrased from: “The New York State Firearms Trade”, by H.J. Swinney, compiled by Tom Rowe:

Alonzo Selden, is listed in US Census of 1870 as Selden, Alonzo, age 75, occupation gunsmith, and as being born in Vermont. It is believed he also worked as a gunsmith in Dorset Vermont from 1845-1847. Alonzo Selden relocated to Whitehall, NY and is shown as being a gunsmith there from 1849 to 1871. He is believed to have died around 1876.

= = =

I note the barrel is engraved A. Selden as per above information.

Edward Alonzo Selden identifed earlier in this discussion does not appear to be the same person.

David
 
Sent to me by a friend; the following is excerpted, and paraphrased from: “The New York State Firearms Trade”, by H.J. Swinney, compiled by Tom Rowe:

Alonzo Selden, is listed in US Census of 1870 as Selden, Alonzo, age 75, occupation gunsmith, and as being born in Vermont. It is believed he also worked as a gunsmith in Dorset Vermont from 1845-1847. Alonzo Selden relocated to Whitehall, NY and is shown as being a gunsmith there from 1849 to 1871. He is believed to have died around 1876.

= = =

I note the barrel is engraved A. Selden as per above information.

Edward Alonzo Selden identifed earlier in this discussion does not appear to be the same person.

David

David, a big "thank you"!!
 
Back
Top Bottom