can you identify this muzzle loader?

[littlefitz]

I was at a friend's house this evening for Easter dinner. He showed me this old muzzleloader that he said has been in his family for a very long time. He said he thought it was older than the civil war. He asked if I knew anything about it and I told him I had no idea but that I knew where to ask. So can any of you folks tell me anything at all about this old gun? Thanks in advance.

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[littlefitz]

More pictures...

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[dkf]

Zoom in on the proof mark on the barrel in the second photo down in your second post. It looks like a Belgian proof mark. No older than 1810.

http://damascus-barrels.com/Belgian_All_Proofmarks.html
http://gerardcox.blogspot.com/2014/0...oof-marks.html

[gghbi]

From the barrel view in the last picture, I would call it a 'fowling piece' or shotgun. The distinctive mark on the left buttstock (roundelet or something) should point to a specific maker or at least a 'school' or area where it was made.

Have to do a little digging, good luck and let's see who else chimes in.

[heatheroo]

Its got a later period mass produced "waterproof" lock and the trigger guard is screwed on vs. pinned. I agree it's definitely 19th century. As gghbi mentioned, the figure on the cheek piece is unusual. I don't recall seeing that pattern before.

[bamboomaster]

From the barrel view in the last picture, I would call it a 'fowling piece' or shotgun. The distinctive mark on the left buttstock (roundelet or something) should point to a specific maker or at least a 'school' or area where it was made.

Have to do a little digging, good luck and let's see who else chimes in.

That's my thought too. Additionally, the checkering on the wrist seems to point in that direction for it wasn't the custom at the time to put checkering on the wrist of a rifle - unless it was a highly incised/engraved presentation piece (like made for a prince or something)...

[knight0334]

From the barrel view in the last picture, I would call it a 'fowling piece' or shotgun. The distinctive mark on the left buttstock (roundelet or something) should point to a specific maker or at least a 'school' or area where it was made.

Have to do a little digging, good luck and let's see who else chimes in.

Ditto that in bold above. The barrel and overall design is certainly more a fowler than a musket.

[knight0334]

Can you get a close up of the inscription on the lock? Or give us your best translation?

[littlefitz]

Thanks for the info. I probably won't be back at my friend's place for a while as he lives almost an hour away from me. I will try to look for the things you suggest when I make it back there.