W. Rolfe Indian Trade Musket

[Loyer]

Just bought this Indian trade musket locally. Been converted from it's original flint and a bit rough but these things are getting hard to come by.
No info on it's history but most were originally sent to Canada.


From google William Rolfe builds look to be between 1807 and 1817.

 

[tiriaq]

Nice find!
It isn't a fur trade gun, of course. It is a British Government gun supplied to HM Indian Allies during the War of 1812 period. Note the proof marks and the crown/broad arrow property mark on the lock plate.
Rolfe supplied guns to the Board of Ordnance as follows:
1813 69
1814 387
1815 160
1816 10
For a total of 626.
Probably its been in SW Ontario since the War of 1812.

 

[Loyer]

As I inspected the gun, I just found out it was loaded with a lead ball and powder . Have to watch these old muskets.
Letting it soak in oil over night to make the extraction easier.

 

[tiriaq]

Over the years, I've encountered a number of muzzleloading guns that had charges in the barrels.

Your Rolfe is a very interesting piece. You were lucky to be able to get it.

Here is one of the brands on my Moxham, also a gun of this period. I/l\D = Indian Department of the British Army.

 

[Loyer]

The lock's two threaded mounting holes are stripped. That is why someone used two nuts to secure the lock to the stock.
Question: do I leave the nuts as part of the guns history or do I find two slightly larger bolts and re-tap the threaded holes to that size ?

 

[tiriaq]

In general I prefer to preserve the history of the gun.
Looking at the photo of the left side of the gun, neither of the two lock screws visible is original. What about the front one?
If the three lock screws are substitutes of unknown origin, I'd be inclined to make replacement screws that fit the lockplate holes - without using a tap.
As is, that is how the gun was used. But the screws could be replaced without alteration to any parts. That would restore the appearance without altering anything.
Does the lock work? Looks as if the mainspring might be missing.
Speaking of repairs and restoration, years ago I saw a respectable HBC gun which needed a new mainspring. Laddie found a replacement, installed it including drilling a hole, and welded up the original hole, thereby destroying the surface condition of the lockplate. Would have been bad enough if he had riveted in a plug.

 

[Loyer]

The existing screws look to be modern (at least machine made). The mainspring and lock itself work well.
Tiriaq: Thank you for the advice.

 

[NorthCoastBigBore]

Amazing. Great find.

Personally, only personally, if those were some mid-late 20th Century hardware store nuts or screws then yes I'd look at replacing them but if it was an early field fix I'd keep it. But, either way in the end!

 

[Valiant]

You think that wolf gun you will be able to fire it? How do you figure out if flintlock is safe? Remove breech plug and inspect?

 

[Loyer]

I figure the gun has lasted 200 years and I wouldn't want to be the one to risk destroying it.