Preserving old rifle?

[AndyHass]

I recently inherited an old caplock from approximately the Civil War or right after.  While obviously wall decoration only, I'm very concerned about preserving it without more decay.  It appears it was once either stepped on or used as a club since the stock was cracked on the narrow grip section, along with the tang, and put back together with some brass strips screwed in.
   It is obvious from the corrosion around the nipple (it's almost rotted away) and the fact that the hammer won't quite hold back in the catch anymore that there is some internal corrosion there.  My grandfather put a cork in the end of the barrel which I intend to remove so I can clean/oil the interior.
   Anyone have an opinion on the best way to handle the possible corrosion in the nipple area and lock?  It doesn't appear I can access the lock without removing the whole action from the stock....

[Thomas Krupinski]

Andy,

One of the first things that must be established is that there is not a charge in the barrel.  Although somewhat of a remote possibility, some have been found in that condition and remained that way unknow for some time.  Yes, it is possible given the right conditions for it to discharge.

If you can measure with a ramrod to the end of the breach plug and if you get the same measurement inside and out, it should be clear unless it is dry charged, ball or minniball only.

[AndyHass]

Thanks, I'm aware of that one.  That'll have to wait until I drill the wine core out of the muzzle.

[lostid]

LPS 3.,not 2,,not 1,, LPS 3 on all the iron parts.
  Your gonna have to dis-assemble the thing if you want to stop ALL the decay. We don't know what kind of moisture it's been around so it's tough to say on-line.
 Use a proper fitting screwdriver for each of the lock bolts and tang screw and take'm out,,(i said proper fittin) when they stop turning loose,use a padded vise or plieres to pull,,,open the darn thing up! (You did say "wall hanger" didn't ya!).
 Remove all the wedding rings,if it's gott'm,,hold the barrel an fore stock in your left hand and drop the butt near the breech on your knee whilst holdn the wrist. This is an attempt at removing the barrel,(follow so far?) Work it loose then punch out the lock,, ,,,
   See Andy, you've asked kind of a blanket question here,, theres lot's more!! I'd use poly urethane to preserve the wood stock on internal areas,yet not apply any to external so as to preserve the original finish.
 I re-firbed an 1838 original,, 1839 conversion potsdam from garage sale to shooting,,,it can be done. But i'm not sure if folks that answer questions like,,"What powder charge should I use?" and/or "Is 50 better than 45?" ,,,can really help?

That aughta stir'm up a bit!! It's been a might slow around here latley anyways!!!

 What kinnda gun is it! anyways!! You mean to say with the WWW.com,,available at your finger tips,all you can say is "grand pa's gun"!
Don't it got marks on it,,or it "looks like",,etc.etc,,,,,

[AndyHass]

Actually it was great-great-great grandpa's gun.  I'm told right after the Civil War we had this big standing army with nothing to do, so there was some talk of invading Ontario.  The Canadians (or British citizens at that time?) didn't like this talk one bit and raised an army to defend themselves.  G-g-g-grandpa was one of the volunteers, and this was the rifle he had/was gave.
    I didn't see any writing at first glance.  It has a boar's head carving on the stock, octagonal breech half of barrel and round front half.  As I said it's caplock.  I can write more when I have it in my hand again to inspect.  It will never shoot again, as it is simply damaged too severely on the tang and I would rather preserve it original than replace things to shoot it.

[crow_feather]

AndyHass,

What a great piece of history.  I do not have the knowledge to assist you in your endeavor, but I wish you great success in saving a piece of history that you, your children, and your children's children will display with honor.

I would suggest that you write the history of the rifle on parchment, with quill pen, and attach it to an old piece of wood to display with the rifle so that the story never be lost.

I wish you great success.

C F

[AndyHass]

Here is a description.  Any knowledge of its origin or any other information would be greatly appreciated!
  The rifle is about 5 feet long overall.  It is "half stock", ie only about 1 foot of wood in front of the trigger.  The barrel is held in by a wedge pin, no bands over the barrel.  The only brass is around that pin, the trigger guard, back ramrod lug, and a "U" band on the very front of the foreend.  The only writing on the gun is a small (.5") oval with "T. I. G." inside, the T over the I and G.  Minimal amounts of decorative metal etching on the lock and tang.  The boar's head carved into the bottom half of the stock.
   While I was told it is a rifle, I think it is smoothbore.  I can't see much of the barrel with the cork plugging it but the metal appears too thin to have rifling cut in (maybe I'm wrong) and I don't see any grooves at the very end.  Maybe 1/3 octagonal and the rest round barrel with a metal strip underneath the length that the ramrod is tucked up against.
   If I figure out picture posting on here maybe I can scan one in.

[lostid]

well my great grand pa died in 1882.My grand pa died in 1950. Pop died in 99'. I'm 47..
 Great grand pa's payment for service in the "war tween the states" was 160 acres land,(aka: 1/4 section), he made do.. Follow so far?
 So if yer gonna talk 3 greats,,then your going back well into the 18th century.(pre-1750-1799).
 The half stock octagon to round post civil war rifle most common was a referbed 1803 government issue,,,,"The Mississippi Rifle". These where somtimes re-cut rifled .54,.58. .62's then smoothy. One way to check is to look for marks on the bottom of the octagon section near the breech,,it was common for the "smith" to make his mark near the bottom.
 In this case the "wedge pin" and "hogs head" carving is unique which may well as "crow feather " said,, needs/should have family documentation,right it down before it's lost!
 I'd like to see photo's! But G.B. is not photo freindly! Any photos need to be a "web link" before posting,,we can't just drag a photo from "documents" and post! Pm your addy AndyHass,  I'd really like to see [/img]

[AndyHass]

It is in fact 3 greats though.  My grandmother is still alive...great grandfather died in 1985...so I'm already a generation up on you there.  I know the name and history of the man who carried the gun.
   I don't have a caliper handy but it's fairly large bore, probably .62 is the best guess.  When you say "recut then smoothy", do you mean the octagon half is rifled and the rest smooth?  That would be odd.  
   I don't see any evidence of it being a flintlock converted, but then I don't know what to look for.  The barrel is "welded" (I know it's not real welding, heated and mated I guess) to the breech section containing the touch hole and nipple, so maybe that's how the barrel was converted over?
   It would seem off to put carving fancy wood carving on a military rifle to me.  I'll post a couple pics on a web site and link it, but I'm getting married this week so you'll have to wait awhile before I'll have time.

[lostid]

Gettin married!! :?  Well "sorry to hear",XXXX(just teasin)
 I mean best wishes to you an the bride,, an may ya see many happy day's ahead of ya,,always an truley

When you and your new found get settled in,,you check in again we'll be here,,

You care fer that young Gal now,, and best wishes to ya  

[crow_feather]

Marriage is a great institution - but who wants to be in an institution.

Marriage is the only funeral where you can carry your own flowers.

C F