Question about Eastern percussion rifles

[Sacramento Johnson]

Hi all!
Have been looking for a nice percussion rifle and came across the New England half stock rifle of the 1850s and early 1860s:

http://www.gundigest.com/gun-firearm-auction-updates/gun-auctions-their-impact-and-influence
(top picture)
and
http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/civil-war-era-44-caliber-half-stock-percussion

I guess I just have a soft spot for brass furniture, but am wondering if something like these would be allowed (with standard primitive open sights, of course).

[Jake MacReedy]

Hey Sacramento!  Yes, an Eastern half-stock rifle would be just fine for TAPS.  There were literally hundreds, if not more, of these fine rifles that made their way West.  The Vincents were a family of gunsmiths plying their trade in the Ohio Valley during this period.  And while they are most well-known for their smaller caliber half-stock "squirrel rifles", they did make a number of .50 caliber and larger rifles that went West during the migrations in the 1850's and beyond.

Great to hear from you, pard!

Regards,
Jake

[Sacramento Johnson]

Howdy Jake!
Thank you! Think I'll start looking around for some custom makers who can do Eastern half stock style!
(I purchased a Pedersoli Rocky Mountain Hawken style in .50 caliber, but it's just too barrel heavy and I can't warm up to the iron furniture, so my guy got a new muzzle loader!)
I see there are also makers of reproductions of  California percussion style rifles (also dating to the 1850s), and they do have the brass furniture as well.  I've read they're a related style to the Eastern half stocks; would these be ok, also?

[Caleb Hobbs]

Hello, Sacramento:

Have you got any photos or other documentation on the California rifles?

[Jake MacReedy]

Sacramento, check out Pecatonica River Long Rifle Supply Company as well (http://www.longrifles-pr.com/).  They have the parts for a good "Ohio Rifle" as they call it.  It's a half-stock Vincent-style rifle, and just what you are looking for!  I'm sure you can find some enterprising rifle builder to put it together for you.  Although they advertise it for smaller-bore, they will supply whatever caliber barrel you wish!  I know the guy who owns this shop, and he's a good guy with whom to deal.

Regards,
Jake

[ChuckBurrows]

RE: California Rifles - William Hawken, Sam's son who took over the St Louis shop when Sam went to Denver in the mid-1850's, has an advert in the book Firearms of the American West 1803-1865 listing them being makers of both Mountain Rifles and California rifles - exactly what the latter looked like is as far as I know still unknown.........
Actually the TC Hawken with a bit of work is not a bad example of some of the known so-called California rifles

Several other makers, including my favorite eastern maker of the period Wurfflein (sp?) of Philadelphia, made many rifles that went west and were highly regarded. And then there was the most prolific eastern maker of the later period Leman who offered rifles in various configurations and grades.

[Jake MacReedy]

Hi All!  From the reading I have done in the past in various publications, I remember a mention of "California Rifles" that were of large caliber and meant for handling grizzlies.  As you all know, grizzlies were a MAJOR problem for Californios in the Sierras in the early to mid 1800's!  I am going to be looking through my books and see if I can find any additional references.

Regards,
Jake

[JimBob]

Not an eastern rifle but a correct for the period type of rifle.If weights a problem the tapered barrel will make a difference-

http://www.donstith.com/h_e__dimick.html


California Gunsmiths,one of the few books on the subject-

http://www.collectorsfirearms.com/index.php/shop/books/used-out-of-print-books/california-gunsmiths.html

Shumway's still has some copies listed at a lower price-

http://www.shumwaypublisher.com/store/shop/item.asp?itemid=15&catid=3

[Sacramento Johnson]

Howdy all!

Great links/web sites! Thank you very much! Got some more researching to do now!

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

My personal ML target rifle is a Pedersoli Tryon.  Caliber .45 and open sights.  Darn thing never offered me an alibi.  The back action lock is quite fast.  A beautiful offhand rifle of Eastern style. This model by Pedersoli, has a good reputation in European competition.

http://www.davide-pedersoli.com/tipologia-prodotti.asp/l_en/idt_2/rifles-tryon.html

[WaddWatsonEllis]

Hi,

I guess I'll just have to explain that the rifle was a hand-me-down and leave it at that ...

1.) It's paid for

2.) It's mine

3.) It shoots well ... we make a pretty good team ....

And if there is any second thoughts, refer to axiom #1