S.M. Martin caplock

[6pt-sika]

When I got home from PI this was laying across a chair waiting on me 8-)

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/MartinRifle001.jpg


The barrel is signed "S.M. Martin" on the "Kentucky Rifle" web page a search came up with a "Samual Martin" in Lancaster that made ML's from 1840-1850 . Haven't exactly concluded that he is the one but it does point in his direction .

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/MartinRifle005.jpg


The lock is marked "T.H. Wood" a search on Kentucky Rifle brought up nothing so I assume this guy just made locks .

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/MartinRifle003.jpg


The patchbox to me doesn't look like the same time period but as always I could be wrong !

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/MartinRifle002.jpg


This rifle has a wear plate on the underside of the stock .

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/MartinRifle004.jpg


An inlay in the cheekpiece !

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/MartinRifle006.jpg


A Redfield peep on the back .

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/MartinRifle007.jpg

And it looks like a Williams ramp with Lyman aperture sight on the front .

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/MartinRifle008.jpg


My personal feeling on this rifle is perhaps someone had the "S.M. Martin" barrel and the lock and maybe the stock . But as seperate pieces and put them together . Along the way they may have added the inlay and patchbox . and of course the sights .

It would be great to find out the barrel lock and stock with inlays had been put together by Mr.Martin . Just don't know at this moment , I think I'm going to take it down to Al Edge's or Clay Smith's and see what they think . This thing is somewhere between 36 and 45 caliber I am thinking 40 or 42 .

[docone31]

Dang Dude!
That is wonderful!!! I love the sight arraingement. Those inlays are great!
That is something that just needs to be picked up and sighted, over, and over.
A wonderful rifle.
I love the signature engraveing! I know what it takes to do that.
A treasure, no matter if it is authentic or not. I bet it is though.

[Geraldo]

Looks like an "Ohio" rifle, which covers a lot of ground. Interesting hammer spur and it appears that there is a washer between the hammer and hammer screw, which makes me wonder if they came from the parts bin.

You could contact Log Cabin Shop as well.

It's a nice rifle that has apparently seen a lot of different uses throughout its life.

[6pt-sika]

Just used my Brown & Sharpe dial calipers inside the barrel and got a .422" reading !

[Marvin S]

How is the bore? Let us know if you going to shoot it.

[madcaster]

Give Jeff Tanner Moulds a holler if you need one made,he is definitely top notch and FAST!

[6pt-sika]

[QUOTE=Geraldo;606384] Interesting hammer spur and it appears that there is a washer between the hammer and hammer screw, which makes me wonder if they came from the parts bin.
QUOTE]

It has a welded on hammer spur and you are correct about the washer and the screw holding it on they certainly aren't "original" equipment .

Monday I think I'm gonna see about taking the barrel out of the stock and see what I can find . Hopefully remove the nipple drum as well .

From what I can see the interior of the barrel looks okay but then again I can't see inside but so well .

[6pt-sika]

Let us know if you going to shoot it.

Thats pretty much a given :wink:

[6pt-sika]

Give Jeff Tanner Moulds a holler if you need one made,he is definitely top notch and FAST!


I don't really want to cast roundballs . I'm hoping I can make something from Hornady or Speer work ! Or perhaps Dixie has something already cast !

While I like to cast rifle bullets for my lever actions the thought of casting a couple hundred roundballs from a single or dual cavity mold just isn't appealing to me :???:

Although I may very well have to get a mold depending on what it needs and whats available .

[madcaster]

Find a .410 somewheres,or I can cast them if you supply the lead and mould and a Mountain Dew per Hour!
Smiley's Casting Service-not a business just a service....

[6pt-sika]

[smilie=1:
Find a .410 somewheres,or I can cast them if you supply the lead and mould and a Mountain Dew per Hour!
Smiley's Casting Service-not a business just a service....

Lets see you're down around Lynchburg or Roanoke correct [smilie=1:

You might give some thought about riding up to Gordonsville for my Blackpowder shoot the second saturday in august ! Not to cast bullets but to come up and shoot some !

I'll have 4 or 5 rifles out there to shoot and for others to look at if they wish !

Hope to have me and all 3 of my flinters sighted in by then !

My 36 cal A.B. Smith is okay and hopefully I'll have a load worked out for this 42 caliber thing as well !

[madcaster]

Actually I live in Marion,and my number is 276-783-4310 if you need anything,I only drive as far as Floyd,VA to shoots-so far...
Jeff

[StrawHat]

6pt-sika,

What you are calling a "wear plate" on the underside of the stock could also be an inlay to cover where the ramrod drill cut through the stock at an inapproriate spot. Not that I've ever had to resort to that sort of thing!

[6pt-sika]

6pt-sika,

What you are calling a "wear plate" on the underside of the stock could also be an inlay to cover where the ramrod drill cut through the stock at an inapproriate spot. Not that I've ever had to resort to that sort of thing!

I am well aware of that fact , but thanks just the same .

[Geraldo]

IIRC I used to buy .400 or .410 RB from Log Cabin. At the time I had an oddball flinter that was roughly .42. Track of the Wolf may also have them.

[Marvin S]

If you do have to get a reasonable price mold to cast with try Jeff Tanner as stated before he will make one any size you want. They don't have a sprue plate but work well.