What have I got here?

[canuck]

Through trades, gifts and inheritances over the years, I've ended up with a few guns that are not in my scope of interest.
Other than the big puff of smoke that comes from firing one of these, that I know nothing about black powder firearms!
I wonder if you fellows can tell me what it is I've got here and what value (if any!) there might be?
Please note, i am looking for information and opinion only at this time - I am not offering these for sale at this time.
Thanks for your input!




I'm thinking this one may be a "kit" gun?

And this one may be an old trade gun?

 

[220]

First or top pic is a kit gun, bottom poorly put together kit gun

 

[tiriaq]

Number one is a modern rifle of modest quality and generic styling. Richland Arms comes to mind, but that may not be correct. Might bring a couple of hundred as an economy shooter.
Number two is "new" trade gun. Yes it is a trade gun, 20th century, intended for sale in areas where governments tolerated folks using muzzleloading guns, in lieu of anything more modern. These turned up warehoused in Belgium and were imported by companies like Dixie, Century, etc. There were a variety of different styles and bore sizes. Some of the parts are 19th century surplus. There were even flintlocks which used a lock like yours fitted with a flint ####, and a separate front piece with flashpan and frizzen assembly. I've seen guns like this turn up in auctions the last few years, and they don't do too badly. Maybe two and a half. Probably no reason it could not be fired, although the nipple should be screwed in all the way.

 

[tacfoley]

The first gun dates from 1976 = AB code. Oddly, kit guns coming from the US of A do not have serial numbers, since they usually need to have the breech plug installed and, as such, could not be proofed in the country of origin, usually Italy, like this one, or Spain. Your gun bears proof marks from the Italian national proof house in Gardone Val Trompia - the little coat of arms shield, and PN - black powder in Italian. PR does not stand for anything in its own right. It seems that an Italian gun-making company called Riva Esterina used this marking on the black powder replicas that were imported by F.I.E.

 

[canuck]

Thanks guys!

 

[ENFIELD1911]

I’m reviving this post as I have a Riva Esterina like the one in the first pictures and am wondering if anyone is familiar with these enough to know the twist rate. I have found a guy saying his from 1973 had a 1:38 twist. Seems a bit tight by the research I’ve done but so far the only post saying the potential twist rate