kd4rgwml

thndrchiken

err, a muzzle loading percussion rifle?

kd4rgwml

big un too, there are no proof marks or lettering anywhere on visiable metal. i think its british.. don't know

SouthSideScubaSteve

but I saw an episode of Pawn Stars (the one in Vegas) a few weeks ago during one the "marathons" they run on the History Channel and they had a gun that I think was similar to this one that they had their "expert" come in an appraise (in the process, he explained the origin of the gun and how to date it). You might be able to search their (or History Channel) website and find the episode ....

Hope it helps!

kd4rgwml

large caliber came with a 1 oz chunk of lead and 1/2 cup of black powder i passed on shooting it..lol

NexxusOne

Out of curiosity, how did you come by acquiring it???

punkinlobber

Can you use a micrometer and determine it's caliber?

pgeobc

You did not state whether or not it is rifled, so it may be a musket, a rifled musket, or a rifle. Yes, you can estimate the caliber with dial calipers, the inside jaws of course. Measure across the lands.

If there are no markings, inside or out, then it may very well be a locally made musket. It could also be a "trade" rifle/musket. That is, one made for natives and would be traded for supplies, native goods, gold, ivory, etc.

kd4rgwml

bought it off a guy selling animal hides on the corner in the ivory coast.




its a smooth bore and im pretty sure it was a trade weapon for the natives.

Iowegan

This looks like a "Zulu" rifle. Most of these were flintlocks that were converted to precussion cap. They were origionally made in Europe in the early to mid-1800's. A good "wall hanger" but not something I would consider shooting.

The history of these Zulu rifles (and Zulu shotguns) is quite interesting. The Belgians were exporting raw materials from Africa, particularly diamonds ... slave labor and free materials ... literally stealing the wealth of Africa. This lead to a big conflict with the British and the Zulu tribes. The Belgians provided crude rifles and shotguns to the Zulus that were "out dated" flint lock conversions. This became known as the Zulu War between Brittan and the Zulu Kingdom. The Zulu War occurred in 1879, long after flint locks became obsolete. There weren't any standards for caliber (between 50 and 68 caliber) and most had very long barrels. They were issued with their own bullet mold. Also, nearly all were muskets with a smooth bore .... probably what ever was laying around the Belgian armory at the time.

Most of the Zulu rifles and shotguns had no markings because Belgium didn't want the Brits to know where they came from. Value wise ... probably no more than a couple hundred bucks for a really good specimen. Military collectors may pay more because ... technically these were military guns, even though most of them were used later for hunting African big game. Many of the Zulu rifles and shotguns never reached their destination in time for the Zulu War so they were traded throughout the African continent.

Zulus were fierce warriors and actually won a few battles but in the end, the Brittish army won and the South African Zulu Kingdom became a "Brittish Colony"

Marine Division Two

? Hamish 50 cal percussion ?

kd4rgwml

Iowegan I think your right, it has no markings, crudely made lock works, and smooth bore.
I don't plan to shoot this monster and it will hang on the wall. Thank you very much it's a nice reminder of my 7 years in Africa.