Pennsylvania percussion Lock Rifle from the attic - Golcher

[parsonwalker]

I haven't been swinging a coil in a good while, and this is obviously not a dug relic, but it IS Today's find, and it has a great story. Our church is growing and relocating and so we did a "Non-Cash Giving" campaign. We just asked people to bring any items of value to sell off. It was a phenomenal response. Everything from graded 10 Cal Ripkin Rookie cards, to old silver coins and silver services, to gold jewelry and bullion. Firearms and musical instruments and not a few diamonds and even a couple of motorcycles and cars. But when a guy called me and asked me to meet him so he could give me THIS . . . I was floored. He's not sure, but he believes his brother bought it many years ago at an antique store in the Shenandoah Vally.



It's a beautiful example of a full stock, .45 cal Pennsylvania long rifle. The lock was made by one of the Golcher brothers (Either James or Josh) in Philadelphia. These brothers sold parts that they had made, but they also built entire rifles. I don't know whether this is one of theirs or not, but the lock is theirs. It has an ornate brass patchbox (Hidden button actuation) and all brass furniture. Thimbles, buttplate, trigger guard, etc. It has double-set triggers and when set, all you have to do is THINK about touching the front trigger to fire.





This is a rough one. It was the Weatherby of it's day though. Super thin foreshock, delicate wrist, Tiger Maple stock and just finely crafted in every way. Heavy, HEAVY rifling. The wood around the nipple is totally burnt off from firing . . . this was no wall hanger. It's been shot to death! What a story it could tell. One silver inlay is missing, some of the thin edges of the foreshock have split away, it's missing its nose cap, and there are several repairs to the stock. But it's all there! I believe that even the ramrod is original. Or at least not a MODERN replacement.

If any of you can tell me more than I already know, or give us an idea of value for turning it into cash for our new building, feel free to give your opinion!

 

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[Calabash Digger]

cool gun!

 

[trapperart]

Very nice

 

[Rustynailsandscrews]

Nice old percussion cap rifle. I still shoot them. Try muzzleloading forums on the net. They are all tradition muzzle loaders and there are experts on there to help you.

 

[ecmjamsit]

$950 to$1600 maybe?

James Golcher Percussion Rifle

 

[fongu]

I have no idea of the monetary value, but the sentimental value of this gift is beyond words. What a beautiful gesture and good luck with this. You might check with some of the experts at Antiques Roadshow.

 

[against the wind]

Nice find Parson,, somebody who does want to have that hanging on the wall,, will make you an offer. You might try your local gun dealer or Hunt Clubs.
Congrats and good luck on the fund raising

 

[NOLA_Ken]

Looking at the condition, which really is everything on an old gun.... and looking at the mortise for the lock plate.... 2 things I'd point out. The lock plate doesn't seem to quite match the stock which makes me think this was originally a flint gun that has been converted to percussion. The cracks in the stock, missing piece by the patchbox and missing inlay are things that need to be considered.
i looked around for some comparable rifles and found one that was in better shape that sold for $730. Given the things I pointed out, I'd guess yours would be more in the 5-600$ range. If it had it's original lock it would go higher but collectors are pretty picky...

 

[Old Dude]

Well worn but still beautiful. The tiger maple is really standing out in your pictures. If only it could talk!

 

[austin]

NOLA Ken is right. It was originally a flintlock and has been converted. About the caliber. Are you sure it's .45? Not that it matters. Now, about price. He is dead on about that too, but you have something going for you. You are a church raising money and that helps. Don't know how you will sell your stuff, but if you advertise in the surrounding state's newspapers or commit to an auction house, you will do a great deal better, especially on that weapon. Just my opinion.of course...

 

[MrBlueSkyNM]

What a beauty! Congratulations! I was lucky enough to attend an event recently and was given the honor of holding Kit Carson's .54 cal. frontier rifle.

 

[Fullstock]

This rifle was never flintlock, several things tell me this, including the fact that it has a one screw lock and I see no sign of the lock ever being flint. The square tailed lock is right for this period and the gaps could have easily have been caused by the cracks above and below the lock. This rifle was made circa 1845-50 and Golcher wasn't the maker of the rifle, he was part of a well know family of lock makers. During this period it was common for gunsmiths to use commercially made locks in their rifles and Golcher locks are commonly seen. I have never seen a complete rifle made by them, even though some older references describe them as gunsmiths, like I said, they made locks, not the actual rifles. The actual gunsmith would normally sign his rifles on the top barrel flat between the rear site and the breech, but it's not uncommon for them not to be signed, some did and some didn't. There were many gunsmiths working in the Shenandoah Valley during this period, and judging by the profile, this could in fact be a Valley made Virginia rifle. I would value this rifle in the neighborhood of $800.00 to $1,000.00, give or take, even in it's unrestored state. By the way, as you can tell by my name, my specialty is American Longrifles, and I'm a past president of the Kentucky Rifle Association. Nice rifle!

 

[parsonwalker]

This rifle was never flintlock, several things tell me this, including the fact that it has a one screw lock and I see no sign of the lock ever being flint. The square tailed lock is right for this period and the gaps could have easily have been caused by the cracks above and below the lock. This rifle was made circa 1845-50 and Golcher wasn't the maker of the rifle, he was part of a well know family of lock makers. During this period it was common for gunsmiths to use commercially made locks in their rifles and Golcher locks are commonly seen. I have never seen a complete rifle made by them, even though some older references describe them as gunsmiths, like I said, they made locks, not the actual rifles. The actual gunsmith would normally sign his rifles on the top barrel flat between the rear site and the breech, but it's not uncommon for them not to be signed, some did and some didn't. There were many gunsmiths working in the Shenandoah Valley during this period, and judging by the profile, this could in fact be a Valley made Virginia rifle. I would value this rifle in the neighborhood of $800.00 to $1,000.00, give or take, even in it's unrestored state. By the way, as you can tell by my name, my specialty is American Longrifles, and I'm a past president of the Kentucky Rifle Association. Nice rifle!

Thank you SO MUCH for your educated (and educating) response! I also felt it was always percussion, but couldn't tell you why. It just looked "right" to me the way it sat. The barrel has absolutely no pitting (except of course around the nipple) and so I can say with 100% confidence that it is not marked there. Pity. Whoever made it, it was a fine piece in it's day. The wrist is so thin and well made. The cheek piece, and especially the slim and perfect forstock. The inlay work is flawless, and it just has all the craftsmanship of a really well-made piece. Condition is indeed rough, with repairs and damage. I particularly like the beveled, detailed trigger guard. Thanks again, for your education!

 

[releventchair]

Print Page - Golcher Locksmiths

Golcher flintlocks existed ,I don't know if a single screw or duplicate to percussion lock plate screw(s) hole was available to convert one.

 

[DigIron2]

Can't help but nice piece!

 

[Fullstock]

Print Page - Golcher Locksmiths

Golcher flintlocks existed ,I don't know if a single screw or duplicate to percussion lock plate screw(s) hole was available to convert one.

Golcher worked primarily during the percussion period. I've seen Golcher locks that were flintlock, but most of the ones I've seen in flint were done so by a modern gunsmith trying to enhance the rifle. The one screw used to hold the lock to the stock is a pretty good rule of thumb to distinguish a percussion gun versus a flint rifle, that normally used two screws to hold the lock in place. Also, if a lock was originally a flintlock, you can expect to see the halo where the frizzen spring and frizzen screw holes were plugged by the gunsmith doing the conversion, I don't see any sign of that on this lock. Lastly, there is engraving at the front of the lock in an area that would be covered by the frizzen spring if it had originally been flint. The spring would have covered the engraving, that wouldn't have happened, that says the lock was always percussion.

 

[AlabamaRelic]

Is there a name on the top flat of the barrel?

 

[scruggs]

Nice old rifle!