civil war era muzzleloader? (pics)

[j two dogs]

Ok guys I really do no know what I have here, it may be relegated to the closet or not.

The man that I got it off is old and has had his gun shop closed for several years. He said this muzzleloader was hanging on the wall of this particular gun shop for the last  70 years. The fella he bought the shop off said it was made around the time of civil war.
I let a guy around here look at it, this is what he told me.
.41 cal. 36 inch barrel, backaction lock with bridal type main spring,3 screw bridal. Looks like hawken style hammer. Double set triggers. Iron and brass mounted. 1 inch breech. Half stock,southern mountain style rifle. Hard inlet brass heart for side screw. 1 ram rod thimble missing. Has six lands and groove hexagonal barrel round bottom rifeling, silver wheat blade front sight, copper forend, walnut stock. Hand forged trigger guard with matching scroll engraving as with the side plate. Will try to get some pictures posted, want to get rough estimate of what it might be worth in case I were to consider selling it, or taking it to the museum in Frankfort, Ky. PM's are welcomed. Thanks for your time

[forest2]

You could have a gem,, Or you could have what someone hung on the wall as a joke! we need photo's, because your description is really a hodgepodge of info that could mean anything. Not to dis regard your friend,, but southern mountain means iron and brass, but then you say "copper" also?? then "back action" with set triggers and hand forged. People use different terms sometimes from region to region,,photos will help..
 OR,,"I've seen those a thousand times before",,ain't worth nuthin! I'll give ya $50, but you pay shipping!

[flintlock]

Get some pics...Post over at www.muzzleloadingforum.com

They are more traditional...With pics I bet someone can tell you who made it... I'm over there as nchawkeye...Sounds like a nice piece, probably made between 1840-1860...

Actually your description was pretty good...Are there any markings on the barrel??? Or the lock???

[j two dogs]

Actually that is baffling there are no markings on the barrel. I recounted what my friend had told since I am not into traditional muzzeloading that much. Another friend told me it was an Ohio rifle, I am going to try to get some pics on here shortly.
I am 48 years old, I have had guns since I was 10, have reloaded and shot untold amounts, traded an armory full of guns, an am a amateur gun smith. I may not know antique muzzleloaders, but I know guns of age, and believe me there is know way to mimic this type of patina. When I get the pictures on you guys can be the judge, thanks to all for looking.

[j two dogs]

here are some pics, sorry guys the picture with the serial numbers in it, is from a remington rolling block I got mixed up with these pics. Thanks

[j two dogs]

pics

[j two dogs]

more pics

[j two dogs]

more pics

[flintlock]

I'd get the pics up on the other site...Also, include a full pic and a close up of the butt plate...

There were hundreds of thousands of these rifles made during that 1840-1860 time period, then cartridge guns started taking over...

It's a nice piece, but I'd be surprised if it's worth more than $600-800...

By this time period, most rifles were pretty plain jane models...The most collectible were made during the 1770-1830 period...Many of these had elaborate carving behind the cheek piece and had brass or silver inlays...Some of these bring $10,000-$75,000  on the market...But these are the high-end pieces that are also signed, usually on the top flat of the barrel with the makers name...

It's still a good piece, I'd clean it up and hang over the fire place...

[j two dogs]

Thanks for your knowledge flintlock, sounds about right to me.