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Help!

Johnny44

Junior Member
I know nothing about this gun. It has no visible markings. Some etching decoration but that’s it, and you can barely see it. I received it from my FIL. I’ve been combing gunbroker but that’s it. Opinions? Thanks for the help
E30E9038-2380-47C1-BB7D-7340DAC825E8.jpeg
 
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"J"

Git Off My Lawn
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I know nothing about this gun. It has no visible markings. Some etching decoration but that’s it, and you can barely see it. I received it from my FIL. I’ve been combing gunbroker but that’s it. Opinions? Thanks for the help View attachment 94921
Try too highlight the symbols with a bright marker and game a picture of them and post them. That might aid someone telling what it is.
 

xbowguy

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I don't think I would use a marker on it (just in case) Not that you would sell it, but value is gonna be a concern at one point. Not sure it's a kit either. I blew it up and there is a few things raising an eyebrow. I'd try a magnifying glass first and see what comes out. Basicly treat it like and antique until you know it is not. Good Luck with it!
 
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giles

Cull buck specialist
Supporting Member
I passed the link off to a Hawkins guy. He thinks it’s prior WW2 and could be an early Hawkins. He also says he has an old book at his moms that he will take a look and let me know what he finds.

Very interesting piece you have!
 
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Johnny44

Junior Member
Thanks gentlemen. Pardon my ignorance; but when you say “kit gun,” does that mean it was bought as kit for Average Joe to put together?
Great idea on the chalk.
More than anything I’m hoping it can be cleaned up and used. I’m not a collector and would hate to just hang it over the mantle. Not counting on it being worth anything but if it was I’d never want to risk it being damaged. I have some places around town that I’m going to take it to and see if they can tell me anything. Thanks for the help.
 
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CJD3

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Very cool looking. It looks old and well used.
Just to be safe, maybe use the ramrod to see if the old girl is loaded. Slide the ramrod down the inside of the barrel, making note of how far in it goes. Then pull it out and lay it to the top or side of the barrel and see how far down it went. If it seems to stop short of the hammer, it may still be loaded. If the ramrod measures to or a hair behind the hammer, it’s probably empty.
Looking forward to hearing what and how old it is.
 
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Mike

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Percussion cap technology came about in 1820.
Edit: 1807 patent in Scotland
 
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Jackalope

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Like others have stated I wouldn't do anything to it until I knew what it was and had a good idea of value. Some flour or talc powder on a makeup brush might help with identifying markings. Or try some paper and a pencil by laying the paper over the mark and lightly running the pencil back and forth quickly on the paper.
 

Ohiosam

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Looks like a nice example of an "Ohio rifle" which were popular in the midwest after the area was well settled (1830ish) to the adoption of cartridges. I'd expect it to be a small caliber, no bigger than .45 but more likely .32-.40. The big game was gone, they were for squirrels and other small game. It looks original. If you ever get to Medina go to the Log Cabin gun shop, they have a big collection of Ohio rifles.

Don't do anything other than wipe it down with oil, swab the bore. BTW make sure it's not loaded, a surprising number of old muzzleloaders are loaded LOL
 
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