Seeking Information For W.M. Grice O/U 45 cal Side hammer

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I just picked this one up and cannot find any info on it after hours of searching .
The only mention of a maker by the Name of Grice was a man who was involved in the design of the Brown Bess
in Birmingham England back in the 1700s.
The firearm in question is an Over Under percussion gun of approx 45 cal with rifled barrels and side hammers .
The only printing on the rifle is the name W.M. Grice on both hammers and on top of the rear sight.
I would appreciate it if somebody could shed some light on it in any way.
It is near excellent as can be seen in pictures .
Grice-3.jpgGrice -9.jpgW.M. Grice.jpgGrice -8.jpgGrice Rear sight.jpgGrice -7.jpg
 

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The Wm. Grice who was a Board of Ordnance contractor would have had nothing to do with your fine over/under. Much earlier. NE US, maybe New York.

William Grice vs W. M. Grice.
 
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Checked Gooding's book, no Grice gunmaker in Canada.
Over/under mule ear lock guns were a standard type. Probably easier to make a o/u this way than using two sidelocks.
A double rifle is less common than a combination gun.
 
That sure looks like a New England style mule-ear. If any of our members has the 5 volume set " The New York State Firearms Trade " by H. J. Swinney there might be a reference to Grice. Check Volume II, pages 654 to 717 for tradesmen having surnames starting with the letter G. Unfortunately I do not have the set, just certain pages. The set can be obtained by interlibrary loan from the University of Alberta Library, as I did a few years ago to research a gun I have. Don't know if a digital copy is available now.
 
Many thanks to everybody. At least I know what I have now and a few places to start looking .
I only got it on trade from an old friend who wanted something I had so now I will do some research
and then offer it for sale so if you are interested PM me and we can discuss it .
 
Wow, you are the first so far . Do you have any information on the maker or where it was made ?
Is it still around ? Perhaps pictures ? I would be greatful ANY information on it .
Wayne
 
Posted on another site.
W.M. Grice was in Lexington Michigan. Born in England in 1842. Married to a Canadian woman.
Given his birthdate, the rifle would likely have been made late 1860s, into the 1870s. After that, cartridge rifles rapidly replaced muzzleloaders, and this would have been an expensive rifle when made.
 
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