Buttplate ID Please

[Alan Payne]

Hello all, was out Friday at a place we have been to multiple times. So many shotgun head stamps in the ground that we skipped many of those signals. On this particular day we decided that we had just about cleared the ground of head stamps. our intent was to dig everything and to our surprise we were finding a lot of things that weren't head stamps. My brother found a buttplate. I did some research and to the best of my knowledge it is a buttplate to a muzzleloader. Based on my research the rifle had a sliding patchbox probably made of wood. The rifle could have been what is known as a Kentucky Long rifle and based on the curvature of the buttplate I would place it from 1750 to 1790. It also has some flowers on the botton and top areas of the plate. From my research flowers were prominent in the Baroque period in France in the years I believe 1723 to 1750 then this fashion trend spread to other places to include the U.S. Any thoughts on my perspective are most welcome. I would also like to make it known that the homesite the artifact was found was inhabited by a Civil war soldier. Artifacts found included a G.A.R. STAR and two pieces of different Encampment medals both of which were from the state of Pennsylvania. As you all know Pennsylvania is were the Kentucky long rifle in America began with German immigrants. So, there is a possibility that this soldier used this rifle in the Civil War. Another possibility is that this buttplate is off od a model 1855 U.S rifle issued during the civil war. The last possibility to me is less likely. I believe it was more likely to have been passed down in the family. I guess this all depends on the age of the buttplate. Thank you for helping with my quest to age this piece.

 

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[Retired Sarge]

Not a Springfield, not Lorenz, as there would be one hole on the top of the folded part and one on the bottom. While the Enfield has 3 holes one on top fold and two on the bottom, the shape of this one doesn't match it.

Could be from a Brown Bess or another older flintlock.

Added: Here's a Brown Bess butt plate shown here on TNet.

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/what/558913-brown-bess-butt-plate.html

 

[l.cutler]

Looks like you've done your research, and I think you have already narrowed it down as much as possible. Definitely an early civilian flintlock gun with the buttplate cut for a patchbox. Probably no way to narrow it down any further.

 

[Rmeav8r]

Might be worth checking out the Charleville. Large numbers of Charleville Model 1763 and 1766 muskets were imported into the United States from France during the American Revolution. The Charleville 1766 heavily influenced the design of the Springfield Musket after the American Revolution.

Scratch that idea. It’s not even close.

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Looks like it is from a rifle (or smooth-rifle) with a sliding patchbox. Would likely not be military issue.

 

[Fat]

Looks like it is from a rifle (or smooth-rifle) with a sliding patchbox. Would likely not be military issue.

View attachment 1895618

That ref. pic is most beautiful stock I’ve noticed in awhile.

 

[OFLSHAGS]

Hello all, was out Friday at a place we have been to multiple times. So many shotgun head stamps in the ground that we skipped many of those signals. On this particular day we decided that we had just about cleared the ground of head stamps. our intent was to dig everything and to our surprise we were finding a lot of things that weren't head stamps. My brother found a buttplate. I did some research and to the best of my knowledge it is a buttplate to a muzzleloader. Based on my research the rifle had a sliding patchbox probably made of wood. The rifle could have been what is known as a Kentucky Long rifle and based on the curvature of the buttplate I would place it from 1750 to 1790. It also has some flowers on the botton and top areas of the plate. From my research flowers were prominent in the Baroque period in France in the years I believe 1723 to 1750 then this fashion trend spread to other places to include the U.S. Any thoughts on my perspective are most welcome. I would also like to make it known that the homesite the artifact was found was inhabited by a Civil war soldier. Artifacts found included a G.A.R. STAR and two pieces of different Encampment medals both of which were from the state of Pennsylvania. As you all know Pennsylvania is were the Kentucky long rifle in America began with German immigrants. So, there is a possibility that this soldier used this rifle in the Civil War. Another possibility is that this buttplate is off od a model 1855 U.S rifle issued during the civil war. The last possibility to me is less likely. I believe it was more likely to have been passed down in the family. I guess this all depends on the age of the buttplate. Thank you for helping with my quest to age this piece. View attachment 1895375 View attachment 1895376 View attachment 1895377

Great find now if u could just find the gun

 

[Alan Payne]

Great find now if u could just find the gun

Here is a good link for info:http:The Kentucky Rifle ? Edenton Historical Commission