Oldest firearm you own?

[Junk Yard Dog]

The model 71 such as is pictured was a single shot weapon, the conversion of 1884 added a tube magazine to the rifle, creating the 71/84. I do not see the mag cutoff lever sticking out of the back of the receiver so this would be one of the non converted models Very nice

[martin08]

Thank you, gents. Yes, this is the non-converted single shot offering, and it throws one big-a$$ chunk of lead.

[Junk Yard Dog]

Yes it does, I have a 71/84 rifle in bits still being carefully cleaned, It's an Amberg, the bore is mint, but the outside had what I thought was surface rust but turns out to be either dry whale oil, or some other preservative on it that has been difficult to remove. I will have to get back to that project, It's been a year.

[kermit]

1938 Tula M91/30

[desert drifter]

My oldest is still not quite exactly identified. Many pictures have been sent to some recognised experts and one expert spent a day examining and photographing it. All agree that the gun was made previous to 1760 one believes it was made after 1740. One feels strongly it was made in Pennsylvania, the others feel it's likely that it could have been made in PA but could have been made in europe. The only way to tell for certain is for a sliver of the stock must be submitted to a university or laboratory to have its (DNA for lack of a better word) compared with historic PA and european walnut. All agree that it has its original ramrod. It is still serviceable.

A 20 bore colonial flintlock fowler:









'drif

[desdem12]

[Darryl]

desert drifter,

Very nice fowler. I'm not a "fowler" expert, but I do know Revolutionary War Military muskets. I own over a dozen of them (original, not reproductions).

Your rifle has to be made in the "Colonies" I would think. I don't know who your "experts" are, but, no one made a rifle or musket or fowler that long and that shape in europe. The reason they are thinking PA is the shape of that stock. That is classic PA long rifle (more commonly and mistakenly known as a Kentucky long rifle type stock). The PA long rifles where born in PA and a few other states. They were inspired by the German Jaeger rifle. Rifles the same as the Jaeger, but made to have a patch around the ball instead of the bullet beaten down into the barrel with a small mallet. This made them faster to load but sill very accurate. They made them longer also. But that stock is what really ID's them. Your's looks like that styling.

Couldn't tell you who made it but, there are "experts" that certainly can. Especially if it is really that old (which I think it probably is). I couldn't tell with out a lot more photos and study, but like I said, fowlers are not my real area.

Well, that is one fine "early" fowler! Love to see more photos (especially the lock).

Dolk

[Longcolt44]

The oldest firearm I have is my 1893 Le Fever 10 ga. SXS. It has been passed down to me from my great grandfather.

[etprescottazusa91]

IMG_0093.JPG

My oldest are about the same age, 1884 model Springfield Trapdoor, the serial number puts it at around 1885 manufacture. The revolver is a Smith and Wesson Double Action model chambered in .38 S@W serial number places this one at around 1884/85. Both still work, the S@W locks up great for as old as it is, the Trapdoor still gets shot once in awhile.

[Celt]

Nice! Great topic Dolk and nice show gentleman!

[etprescottazusa91]

Looking at all these old guns has me appreciating the old stuff, so I'll throw out my vote for my favorite so far, gwilly's Enfield pistol is great, old and modern history with that one, but I think my personal favorite posted is martins's 1871 model Mauser, that is an awesome rifle

[millman]

Looking at all these old guns has me appreciating the old stuff, so I'll throw out my vote for my favorite so far, gwilly's Enfield pistol is great, old and modern history with that one, but I think my personal favorite posted is millmans 1871 model Mauser, that is an awesome rifle

I would love to have, it and be able to take credit for it, but I think that beauty is Martins.

[etprescottazusa91]

Looking at all these old guns has me appreciating the old stuff, so I'll throw out my vote for my favorite so far, gwilly's Enfield pistol is great, old and modern history with that one, but I think my personal favorite posted is millmans 1871 model Mauser, that is an awesome rifle

I would love to have, it and be able to take credit for it, but I think that beauty is Martins.

I see that millman, missed the break in post, post edited, martin awesome rifle. The 1871/84 mausers are the rifles the Irish Republicans smuggled into Ireland for the Easter 1916 uprising. The next day the British arrested anyone with a bruised shoulder. Once again I love that 71 Mauser

[Darryl]

Oldest I own is a circa 1620 to 1650 Snaphance lock musket. (original)
Made in Spain by a gun maker named Molas

Probably shot gravel or a patched arrow. The barrel is about 4 or 5 section forge welded together.
Probably owned by the Spanish military. ( because of the crown mark)
One of three known still to exist.

Has a crown stamped in the top of the breech. And washed with gold (only a little gold remains)

[Junk Yard Dog]

Cool :0, the use of cast lead balls was already well established by the 1600's, this piece probably used them as well as lead shot.

[Darryl]

Cool :0, the use of cast lead balls was already well established by the 1600's, this piece probably used them as well as lead shot.

Yes, Lead balls, Lead shot, gravel, and patched arrows. All standard ammo!

Dolk

[Junk Yard Dog]

Iron balls also, can't forget the iron balls, you had to have them to shoot these things

[desdem12]

Well i have to say that is a pretty cool thing there. Very nice and very interesting.

[Junk Yard Dog]

Yeah, it needs a little work, but the question is, do I really want to touch it at all?....??????


Dolk

[TacticalFlash]

My oldest. a 12 gauge shotgun. The lock was made in 1857 in France. The gun may be converted from a civil war era musket. Hoping to learn more about it.