A couple more from the past!

[BPJONES]

Picked up these two front stuffers very recently and thought maybe some would like seeing them. The first is a Hollis & Sheath of London smooth bore rifle. Bore measures at .508 so am pegging it as 50 caliber. From the proof marks, and info I found on Hollis & Sheath, I put it at 1849-1855 date. The rifle is in remarkable condition indicating there is no reason it could not be shot as it is. There are no cracks anywhere in the wood and except for some staining, the bore is good. The hammer and lock works great and is tight. It is a very well balanced rifle.



The second gun is a William Landell of Glasgow 13 gauge double barrel from roughly 1850-1860. This gun is also in remarkable condition. The barrels ring clear and the bores just have minor staining. No cracks in this one either. I don't know if I have ever felt smoother working locks and hammers on another muzzleloader. Both guns have been very well looked after over the years and not even a buggered screw on either of them. Either gun will be a joy to take out in the field.

[koger]

Very nice! Great to find old hunting companions taken good care of in todays disposable society.

[taco650]

Very nice! Thanks for sharing.

[Boaz]

Interesting and very nice finds , thanks for posting .

[Old Scribe]

Great find. I have a couple of Lefevers that are pre-1890 and are great field companions. Enjoy! !

[daleraby]

The first is a Hollis & Sheath of London smooth bore rifle. Bore measures at .508 so am pegging it as 50 caliber.

Well, they look like pretty interesting pieces, actually. I'd be very interested in hearing how the .50 caliber shoots.

I was, until this moment, unaware of the existence of anything called a smooth-bore rifle, but in fact they do exist, though they are not truly rifles. They do, however, have rifle sights, stocks, and triggers.

Now that I think about it, T/C used to make a .56 caliber smoothbore... I believe on the Renegade platform, but I don't think they called it a rifle. I'm a little curious as to how they made them, but I suppose they reamed them out instead of rifling them and from my experiments, I'd guess they'd shoot .530 patched round balls OK.

Now I gotta get one. Damn! That five-screw M&P will just have to wait a while....