Muzzle Loader

[robertc1024]

Ok Gents,

The in-law's house got flooded by a pin-hole leak in a copper pipe under the floors. They're having to move out for three months. My father-in-law gave me a bunch of random guns to hold for him until they get back. Interesting mix - Winchester pump .410's, single shot .410's, etc. But check this one out. Anybody know about it? It looks like a .50 caliber muzzle loader. Has A. WURFFLEIN PHILA stamped on the barrel.

 

[crbnunit]

Looks like a really nice target gun. Very heavy barrel, peep sights and a double set trigger. Nice!

 

[GoodOld85BlueBalls]

found this on the net.

William Wurfflein was the son of Andrew Wurfflein, a gun maker in Philadelphia. William took over his father's business in 1871 and acquired four patents for firearm improvements. The business closed in 1915.

Summary: Rifle was made by William Wurfflein of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, between 1871-1915. The sporting or gallery rifle has a 30-inch octagonal and round barrel, checkered pistol grip and forearm, tang peep rear site and a hooded front site. On the barrel of the rifle is "Phil. Pa."

If that gun was made by Andrew it would have been made between 1845 and 1871. There are a few pistols on the net made by him. $6000 to $9000!!!!!!
http://rock-island-auction.ammoland.com/3005.html

That thing is wicked cool!

 

[GoodOld85BlueBalls]

It could be from the civil war dude!

http://www2.hsp.org/exhibits/preserving/pages/0610_police.htm

 

[robertc1024]

WOW - that is pretty cool. It seems to be in excellent condition. Definately has the octagonal barrel - It's heavier than a MF'er.

 

[GoodOld85BlueBalls]

Found some more info. See if it fits one of these lengths. Then you will know what it is.

there are several muskets with the Wurfflein/Philadelphia stamp:
- the German Navy musket 1849 (barrel: 37inch)
- the Prussian M 1809/UM (barrel: ca 41 inch)
- US M 1812 (or better:standard musket of 1815) (barrel: 42inch)

Whatever you do. DON'T CLEAN OR POLISH IT UP! It ruins the value. It is best to leave it in a used condition. I remember that from an episode of Pawn Stars where this guy had a civil war colt. He cleaned it up before bringing it in for trade. Took over half the price away from what it was worth and ruined the historical value.

 

[robertc1024]

Uh, This puppy's no longer than 31"

 

[robertc1024]

Found some more info. See if it fits one of these lengths. Then you will know what it is.

there are several muskets with the Wurfflein/Philadelphia stamp:
- the German Navy musket 1849 (barrel: 37inch)
- the Prussian M 1809/UM (barrel: ca 41 inch)
- US M 1812 (or better:standard musket of 1815) (barrel: 42inch)

Whatever you do. DON'T CLEAN OR POLISH IT UP! It ruins the value. It is best to leave it in a used condition. I remember that from an episode of Pawn Stars where this guy had a civil war colt. He cleaned it up before bringing it in for trade. Took over half the price away from what it was worth and ruined the historical value.

I'm not taking the steel wool to it. I just called my father-in-law (super cool dude) and told him what it might be worth. He was like - Um, I'm bird hunting, can you bother me later? He set world speed records in hydroplane boats, was on the cover of sports illustrated for winning the US field archery championship, had winning TX gun dogs, ran the boston marathon a couple of times etc.

 

[GoodOld85BlueBalls]

Uh, This puppy's no longer than 31"

If I am not mistaken, that would make it a sporting rifle. Easier to carry on a horse. Should have it appriased by a spurt.

Or Perhaps that is a kit rifle that someone made. I made a Hawken 50 cal from a kit when I was in High school. Shot it only twice and my shoulder still hurts from it 30 years later.

 

[robertc1024]

Got It - could you see through the black-powder cloud for days?

 

[robertc1024]

My work buddy built a black powder Navy Colt pistol kit. We went out and shot it a couple of times - had to stop too much smoke.

 

[GoodOld85BlueBalls]

First time I ever shot the Hawken, was in my fathers back yard. He lives in the city of Broomfield and has a park behind his house with open fields on the other side of the park. Well being young and just getting it done I could not wait to fire it off. Dad had the truck at work and I was stuck in the house after school. I let it off out the back gate with a solid slug at a target that we set up. (4x4 sheet of plywood.) I hit the 1/2 in board in the upper left and it blew the corner to pieces. Almost knocked me over. The cloud was so huge. We put everything away as fast as we could. And sure enough a city cop came round. The cloud was all around my dads house. When he knocked on the door we hid in the basement.
They contacted my dad that afternoon when he got home from work. We told him we set off a M-80.
I only fired it about 15 times total in the time I had it. Man what a kick. If you missed your traget and hit a small tree, the slug would cut the tree down. No kidding! LOL

 

[crbnunit]

I'm thinking this rifle is not that old. If it is, the sights are not. I don't think I have seen rifling cut that way on older weapons either.

 

[robertc1024]

Me too _ that's why I'm asking. The front sight seem suspicious.

 

[doorgunner]

great looking rifle....authentic or not....kinda like breast implants...waahahaha


I got a .44 muzzle loader...built it from a kit my wife bought me in 1974....kicks like a .410...lotta fun!!....now i need to return the favor to her!