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Re: Old Muzzleloading Rifle

Posted by lacyjoe on 6/17/2009, 3:28 am, in reply to "Re: Old Muzzleloading Rifle"
67.76.136.16

Thanks for the reply Fred. The rifle in question resides in Moore County, NC. Though Moore County is famous for its early gunsmiths (Kennedys, Stutts, etc.) we suspect (or hope) that this one may have been fashioned by Capt. John Ritter (1816-1902) of that same section of upper Moore County known for its gunsmiths (Ritter was actually related to many of them). He is said to have been a local gunsmith, making rifles for his sons. I do know that he was an accomplished carpenter for I have seen a nice piece of furniture he made for a daughter (outstanding workmanship). This rife has appeared in one of his son's lines and is said to have been passed down from one generation to the next. Judging from what you have seen, is it possible that Capt. John Ritter could have had a hand in this gun's conception. I know I am asking a lot, but what is your gut feeling. I do not know of another rifle in existence that is attributed to him so I have nothing to compare this one to. You mentioned the unique tang design. How does this one differ from most others? How can I pursue this matter further?

--Previous Message--
: Nice group of photo's.
: I'm no pro, but it does look like the gun
: was a flintlock at one time, and converted
: to a cap lock. Most of the conversions where
: done between 1820-1840. so my guess is the
: rifle pre-dates that era. The trigger guard
: looks out of date for the rest of the rifle,
: but that's not un-common as they break and
: are replaced by the current user.( even if
: the user has been dead for a 100 yrs.)
: That tang is unique and fit's the stock,
: that could be the identifier for the maker
: of the gun.
: The hole in the stock is/was simply known
: as a "grease hole" and indicates
: it was the lesser expensive model than one
: with a fancy "patchbox"
: installed.aka; gun known as a
: "poorboy" or barn gun.
: The double trigger was probably installed
: with the conversion lock. The lock looks
: like either a Goulcher or J&S Hawkin, the
: main spring say's Goulcher to me. If it's
: Goulcher that dates the conversion
: 1840-1880.
: Hope that helps as a starter,,let me ponder
: awhile, and maybe others will add to this.
: Thanks for sharing
:

Message Thread:

Old Muzzleloading Rifle - Lacy Joe 6/14/2009, 3:05 pm
- Re: Old Muzzleloading Rifle - lacyjoe 6/16/2009, 1:19 am
  - Re: Old Muzzleloading Rifle - lacyjoe 6/16/2009, 1:22 am
    - Re: Old Muzzleloading Rifle - fred 6/16/2009, 3:37 am
      - Re: Old Muzzleloading Rifle - lacyjoe 6/17/2009, 3:28 am
        
        Re: Old Muzzleloading Rifle - fred 6/18/2009, 11:19 pm
- Re: Old Muzzleloading Rifle - fred 6/15/2009, 5:42 am
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--Previous Message-- : Thanks for the reply Fred. The rifle in : question resides in Moore County, NC. : Though Moore County is famous for its early : gunsmiths (Kennedys, Stutts, etc.) we : suspect (or hope) that this one may have : been fashioned by Capt. John Ritter : (1816-1902) of that same section of upper : Moore County known for its gunsmiths (Ritter : was actually related to many of them). He is : said to have been a local gunsmith, making : rifles for his sons. I do know that he was : an accomplished carpenter for I have seen a : nice piece of furniture he made for a : daughter (outstanding workmanship). This : rife has appeared in one of his son's lines : and is said to have been passed down from : one generation to the next. Judging from : what you have seen, is it possible that : Capt. John Ritter could have had a hand in : this gun's conception. I know I am asking a : lot, but what is your gut feeling. I do not : know of another rifle in existence that is : attributed to him so I have nothing to : compare this one to. You mentioned the : unique tang design. How does this one differ : from most others? How can I pursue this : matter further? : : --Previous Message-- : Nice group of photo's. : I'm no pro, but it does look like the gun : was a flintlock at one time, and converted : to a cap lock. Most of the conversions where : done between 1820-1840. so my guess is the : rifle pre-dates that era. The trigger guard : looks out of date for the rest of the rifle, : but that's not un-common as they break and : are replaced by the current user.( even if : the user has been dead for a 100 yrs.) : That tang is unique and fit's the stock, : that could be the identifier for the maker : of the gun. : The hole in the stock is/was simply known : as a "grease hole" and indicates : it was the lesser expensive model than one : with a fancy "patchbox" : installed.aka; gun known as a : "poorboy" or barn gun. : The double trigger was probably installed : with the conversion lock. The lock looks : like either a Goulcher or J&S Hawkin, the : main spring say's Goulcher to me. If it's : Goulcher that dates the conversion : 1840-1880. : Hope that helps as a starter,,let me ponder : awhile, and maybe others will add to this. : Thanks for sharing : : :

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