The pictures are still up-loading on my pitiful old machine - but from what I'm seeing I agree Belgium or possibly Austrian. It is a military musket. Peculiar that someone hand-engraved "US" on the lockplate. Looks like it has been repaired in someone's barn/shop with all of the mismatched screw heads. Obviously the numerals etched on the rear/left side of the barrel are a recent addition, and the metal and wood are heavily refinished.
Someone into European martial arms will be along soon to tell you I'm full of baloney.Thanks for posting an unusual and interesting rifle! I'm curious to know exactly what it is, too.
Well, it's been hacked up pretty good. I have no idea what it is and to me the stock doesn't look right nor the back action lock on a martial arm. You can see the hammer does not remotely line up with the nipple nor do I see a bayonet lug. The rear sight appears as if it should be of German/Austrian origin, to me. To qualify the above I definitely am not very well versed in European martial arms.
The lock and patch box were seen on low end cap lock rifles sold in the middle 1960's. I would suspect that the rifle is make up from parts by a hobbyist. The barrel appears to have been taken from an older military rifle. This piece does not have the look on a military percussion rifle musket. What caliber is this firearm?
If it measures .260 then it's 26 caliber, no military in the world used a 26 caliber musket in battle. Ammo used in it would be a patched #3 buck shot.
I think Roundball is close to the truth about who and when, they didn't have stick welders in the 1860's and it's breech plug is made from a bolt arc welded to a piece of flat stock filed into a tang.
No musket maker in the world that I am aware of ever used a two piece stock for a military arm. The more I look at it the more convinced I am the trigger guard and lock came from a sporting rifle. As with Griz I agree with roundball. To reiterate, martial arms are NOT my strong point but, that's what I see.
The trigger guard and buttplate are from an Italian Vetterli Military rifle. This gun is an assortment of parts. I would bet the barrel has a liner of some sort. The barrel was at one time a part of a real gun. Parts and pieces is what it is now.
Would you shoot a BP rifle with a breech plug from a common bolt with the tang welded on? This piece is not nor ever has been a military rifle.
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