More peices of the puzzle

[Shovelbuck]

I've had this old muzzleloader for about 25 years and thought I knew about all I would ever know about it.
The barrel, as near as one can tell from the style of forge welds and being a "Swamped" barrel, indicate it was made around 1760. Somewhere along about 1860, it was mated to this fowling stock by cutting off the forend that would have been for a round barrel and splicing on a new forend for the octagon barrel.
Or so it seemed until this past week.
After doing a bit of research, I find out the style of nosecap on the forend dates it to about 1830. Now new questions arive. Is the stock earlier than I've thought all these years? That style was common from 1800 to around 1860. Or was the forend taken from an existing, older gun?
I've now got more questions but still no answers

I'm sure it will always be a mystery as to who owned it and what it did throughout it's lifetime.
Sure is fun to take out every once in a while and think back to the way things were.

 

[Fishbonker]

What is a swamped barrel and fowling stock?

Nice photo.

You need to take the gun to Antiques Road Show.

The 'Bonker

 

[Shovelbuck]

Sorry Bonk, A swamped barrel is narrower in the middle than on the ends.
Fowling stock = shotgun stock
As for the road show, the gun has no makers name or marks on it so from a collectors standpoint there isn't much of a market. The gun is priceless to me though. It was given to me by a great friend that taught me more about muzzleloading and the ways things were back then than any history class could.
When he passed away in 1999 the world lost a walking book on history. I will always honor his memory.

 

[Steve-O]

I thought I was the only one who didnt know what Jay was talking about. Thanks
Bonker

 

[Renobber]

that is awesome shovel. I wouldn't let go of somethin like that either. that has a lot of history too it. awesome pictures. wish I had me somethin like that

 

[Fishbonker]

I figured out along time ago the only way to learn is to ask questions. So I'm gonna ask another.

Swamped= narrower in the middle thicker on the ends, thats on the out side of the barrel and not the bore? The bore is still a cylinder? Why did they make it thicker on the ends and why call it swamped?

The fowling I had a hunch about but wasn't sure.

Thanks Jay.

The 'Bonker

 

[NebraskaWhitetail]

You could have the various pieces of the wood stock analyzed by a dendrochronologist. That would tell you if these are the same species and age.

 

[Shovelbuck]

Bonker, the bore is the same the full length. Here's an example. The Jaegers were more extreme than mine though.

Matt, the stock is from two different species. As for having it aged, that requires a sample and I wouldn't want that done.
The who, what, where and why's will remain a mystery.

 

[Maggs]

Do you know anything about the tack pattern on the stock? In the last 5 years I learned more then I thought I would ever know about those old front stuffers. One I saw had a pattern and was put on by the Indians to signify the sun, the moon, the 4 directions and the wind; I believe. Anyhow, the collector said the pattern helped authenticate the age of the gun.
Maggs

 

[JMM1]

It is a beautiful piece Shovel.

 

[Shovelbuck]

Maggs, I checked into that a few years back. Nothing similar. They were more than likely put on by a trapper or homesteader. It's doubtfull that Native Americans did. Sadly, Native Americans weren't known for great gun care. When they were done with them, the gun was done.

 

[Daver]

That's a great photo and it is neat to see your dedication to the craft of muzzleloading. I have this suggestion for you... Have you ever considered teaching a class or small group on the subject of muzzleloading, from reading your posts it seems like you would really be a natural at something like this.

 

[Ghost]

Sweet picture Jay!

 

[1arrow]

Man that is a cool pic, thanks Jay