NEED HELP WITH iding this gun

[Dan101955]

want to shoot this gun but need more info on it.
Is there a Google Grouts site where I could get some info on this?

Thanks for all the help so far...

Dan

[KDubs]

 I think we need more info.  Any ideas on caliber, age of the ol gal.  That sorta stuff.
 The folks here that know waaaay more than I will chime in soon I'm sure. 
 Kevin

[Dan101955]

The barrel is 36 1/4 long.
Bore is .456 / .477
I believe it is a .45 cal. .440 ball .18 pillow ticking.
I believe it to be in the Whitworth style just guessing.
As it is now it will be a wall hanger but would like to rebuild it to as original as possible.

Dan

[shootrj2003]

If you shoot it ,turn it over,it will fit better to yer shoulder and trigger finger.

[Hank in WV]

 

[PetahW]

.

While a Whitworth bore has flat sides ILO rifling, it doesn't include the extra (rifling ?) grooves where the flat sides meet.

Additionally, Whitworth's used a hexagon-shaped  boolit - and not "normal" rounds balls/conicals.

In the mid 1800's, there was a LOT of experimenting in the US with various rifling types ( hexagonical, 5-groove, 6-groove, multiple grooves, etc, etc, etc); AND there were hundreds of small, one-man shops that were building rifles - either making their own locks, stocks, & barrels ( including rifling) or buying the parts.

When they did repairs, they often used what came to hand, and fitted whatever to the best of their abilities.

Many never bothered to mark their builds, so there's no way AFAIK to positively ID your rifle.

Here are a small sample of the rifling styles tried back then (courtesy of Ned H. Roberts book - The Muzzleloading Cap Lock Rifle, pp.27)



.

[Ohio Joe]

It does appear to be the second one in from the top.

I have the same book as PetahW. It's probably traceable through a site that is dedicated to antique firearms (long range), but I don't have any links to any.

I'd be interested in know its history as well.     

[PetahW]

.

The top left sample above, referred to, has 5 rifling grooves; the OP's gun has 6 grooves, so who really knows ?

As stated, they are only a small example of the myriad different designs.

[Ohio Joe]

I see 6 lands and 6 grooves. 

[second one in from the top]

"Antique. The Grooves Were SuperFludus"

[PetahW]

I see 6 lands and 6 grooves. 

[second one in from the top]

"Antique. The Grooves Were SuperFludus"

Looks like I need new glasses..... 

[Ohio Joe]

I see 6 lands and 6 grooves. 

[second one in from the top]

"Antique. The Grooves Were SuperFludus"

Looks like I need new glasses..... 

I'm still trying to figure out the word, "SuperFludus"   

I think it means "not needed" and if so, I disagree as I believe they were put there to perhaps help control fouling. Of course I'm not sure of that, but what else would they have been used for?

[Bigsmoke]

Superfludus is probably a misspelling of the word superfluous, meaning:

unnecessary, especially through being more than enough:
"the purchaser should avoid asking for superfluous information"
OR
The barrel maker should avoid adding superfluous grooves and lands.
Of course, that's just my take on it, and I have never really been called a grammarian.

John (Bigsmoke)

[Ohio Joe]

Thanks John. I did look it up and it sure sounds like you're on the money. 

Now, "grammarian" - I can only take one new word every decade...   

[Hanshi]

And here I thought all "grandmarians" were women.  I know "grandparians" are usually men. 

[PetahW]

.

Reminds me of "Walmartians"...