Obscure muzzleloader info

[BPJONES]

I have a chance to pick up a Marksbery muzzleloader in 50 caliber for $50.00. I know it's by an obscure maker but can anyone provide any info on this maker? Or anyone own one of these rifles? The rifle in question is not a one piece stock, meaning it has a separate stock and forearm.

[reivertom]

I think they were made in Japan in the 70s and 80s when the modern muzzleloader movement really went into overdrive. The ones I've seen were decent looking guns. They weren't very period correct, but they should shoot well. If the barrel isn't rusted badly, it is surely worth 50 bucks.

[mooman76]

I did an internet search and the ones I seen were modern type MLs.

[shunka]

My Good BPJones-
it looks like you did well!
here are some links for your entertainment and edification
https://www.gunsamerica.com/996062334/Markesbery-50cal-rifle-with-scope.htm
http://www.monstermuleys.info/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.pl?az=show_thread&om=5082&forum=DCForumID49&archive=yes
http://hanksmessageboard.freeforums.net/thread/1112/marksberry-muzzleloader
http://www.monstermuleys.info/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.pl?az=show_thread&om=1721&forum=DCForumID14&archive=yes
http://web.archive.org/web/20050310053339/http://www.markesbery.com/
http://bluebookofgunvalues.com/Black_Powder_Values/Black_Powder_Firearm_Manufacturer.aspx?id=MARKESBE RY_MUZZLE_LOADERS_INC

yhs
shunka

[Saxtonyoung]

Sam Fadala mentions and speaks highly of the Markesbery in his Blackpowder Handbook 4th edition.

[Squeeze]

A marksbery, was basically a knockoff of a Kahnke design, built for a few years in Kentucky. He used Kahnke design and suppliers to build the same gun, but never paid the suppliers, and went out of business in short order.

[BPJONES]

This gun is different than the full stock thumb hole version shown in the links. Below are 2 pics I have.
But at $50.00 I guess it's still an okay gamble.

http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j470/picadilly1/marksbery/879736-500x281_zpsmxzrzncb.jpg (http://s1087.photobucket.com/user/picadilly1/media/marksbery/879736-500x281_zpsmxzrzncb.jpg.html)
http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j470/picadilly1/marksbery/535415-500x281_zpsrhw2rt7d.jpg (http://s1087.photobucket.com/user/picadilly1/media/marksbery/535415-500x281_zpsrhw2rt7d.jpg.html)

[mooman76]

I don't think you could go wrong with just $50. At worse case you could part it out and sell it on ebay and make a profit, especially since they are no longer made. Someone out there should be looking for some parts. Looks like a good gun. I'd go for it if I had the opportunity.

[BPJONES]

Going to pick it up in a couple of hours, then I have to leave for a few days because of family emergency.

[mooman76]

Good on you. Give us a report when you get time.

[Lead pot]

Make sure that it was not short seated and has a walnut bulge. Sometime bargains are not bargains.

[BPJONES]

Picked the gun up. No bulges anywhere. The gun is in excellent condition and looks to be very well made. I haven't given it a super going over as I am leaving shortly. He sold it for $50.00 because he said sometimes it doesn't seem like the hammer is striking the cap properly resulting in a non fire. He wasn't going to bother looking at it. He also threw in the scope mount and rings. So, it is a vary nice looking, well built gun. I will look into the hammer not striking the cap at times when I get back.

[mooman76]

Is it using #11 caps? The most common malfunction when using #11 caps and they don't always fire is improper cap fit. If the cap doesn't go on all the way, the first strike pushes the cap on all the way and the second strike will fire.

[BPJONES]

Yes, it uses #11 caps. I think something like the cap not going on all the way may be the problem. I don't think there is much of a problem.

[jjarrell]

It does sound like cap fit. Take a look at Mountain State Muzzleloading's Spitfire nipple. They are stainless, and slightly tapered at the top. So no matter the #11 cap you use(or #10), it is a sealed press fit when pushed onto the nipple. Ive had many caps not fire on T/C Hot Shot nipples because of the caps fit, but never with the Spitfire. Always a tight fit and reliable ignition with Spitfire.

[BPJONES]

I'm back at home and gave the gun a looking over. I can see no "mechanical reason" why the rifle wouldn't function so I am leaning toward a cap problem not seated properly. I tried it a few times with just the cap and it went off each time. The rifle also has 2 safeties. It has half cock and also a bar you push sideways which blocks the hammer. The hammer will still drop down but it stops short of striking the cap. If the bar is not pushed all the way to the left, it will prevent the hammer from firing the cap. So this may have been part of the problem as well.I will look into the Spitfire nipple. I dropped a bore light down the bore. The bore looks like new. It is a very nicely balanced gun. At least one thing about it, the fellow sure looked after it.
Just found out that the model is a Black Bear and is supposed to have a 1:26 rate of twist.

[Newtire]

Try this link. This guy seems to be a real deal sort of a guy. He figures out ways to make things work! His keyboard doesn't always hit dead center but I think his info can be trusted more than most.

https://youtu.be/Fnkyy2tUmGA

[BPJONES]

Thanks for the link. I noticed he said the gun takes #11 caps (which it does) but then stated he takes along #10 caps. Maybe he misspoke.

[54bore]

It does sound like cap fit. Take a look at Mountain State Muzzleloading's Spitfire nipple. They are stainless, and slightly tapered at the top. So no matter the #11 cap you use(or #10), it is a sealed press fit when pushed onto the nipple. Ive had many caps not fire on T/C Hot Shot nipples because of the caps fit, but never with the Spitfire. Always a tight fit and reliable ignition with Spitfire.

I plan on getting a few of these Spitfire nipples to try, October Country carries them, they are only 45 minutes away from me. How do they compare to TC HotShot nipples?