Bohn and Tetley [Archive]

Old44

10-04-2013, 09:08 PM

Greetings,

A friend came across an interesting muzzle loader from an estate recently.
I'm helping him to identify this gun. It is made by Bohn and Tetley, a Pittsburgh, Pa based company from the 1800's.
Caliber is .45 with a very heavy barrel. I will post pics and more info once I receive it from him.
If anyone wants specific info, let me know.

This looks like an interesting piece.

waksupi

10-05-2013, 12:49 AM

We'll be waiting!

Old44

10-23-2013, 05:52 PM

Finally got some info on this gun. I thought a few people here would be interested.

Barrel Length - 36'' Bore Dia. 45 Cal.
Dimension Across Flats: 1.10'' Thickness of Flats: .325''
Octagonal Barrel Brass Front Sight Brass Trigger Guard
Brass Butt Plate Pewter Fore-End Cap

Engraved on Top of Barrel Bown & Tetley
Makers
Pittsburgh

Engraved on Top of Barrel: Enterprise Gunworks with the word Kill overtop of Engraved Deer

Engraved on Side Plate: Bown & Tetley Pittsburgh

Old44

10-23-2013, 06:03 PM

851108511185112

Old44

10-23-2013, 06:05 PM

8511385114

Old44

10-23-2013, 06:06 PM

8511585116

johnson1942

10-23-2013, 06:34 PM

a really beautiful gun. is the bore good? and if it isnt you can have it relined or rebored. a relined gun can shoot better than the original as a sleeve in a gun barrel causes the barrel to not whip or vibrate so the bullet doesnt go off center when it leaves the muzzle. i wonder what twist it is. maybe a dry paper patched bullet would shoot real good in it.

Old44

10-31-2013, 06:08 PM

Need a little help.

Anyone interested or have knowledge of this gun?

451 Pete

10-31-2013, 08:28 PM

Old 44,
I found a reference to " Bown & Tetley " in the book " The Pennsylvania and Kentucky Rifle " by Henry J. Kauffman. To quote " Bown and Tetley Rifles are cheap and well made. Emigrants would do well to give us a call. We keep a large stock of our manufacture always on hand. All guns warranted. from The Daily Morning Post, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, March 13,1855"

There is also "James Bown , successor to Bown &Tetley, Manufacturer and Importer of GUNS, RIFLES, PISTOLS, HARDWARE, GUNSMITHS MATERIALS, CUTLERY &c. NO.136 Wood Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Agents for Colts Pistols and Rifles. The Pittsburgh Commercial, March 6 , 1865. " listed in the same book.
One last rerference is made that he worked in 1874-1875 under the name James Bown and Son.

Hope this helps.... Pete