Garner Rifle questions

ezbme

November 14, 2011 08:59

I have a Garner rifle that I may be selling on GB for a client. Marked Garner on top of barrel, Davidson on side. Was told by a gunsmith it is a shooter. I am not familiar with it & I am still learning anything I can about firearms. I am looking for a history on it, age, value & any comments on how complete it may or may not be. Also, how do I figure out what caliber this is? I was told it may be a .46 but no idea. Thanks! Jonathan

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  MP

  November 14, 2011 11:22

  T. Davidson & co. made locks only.
  
  James M. Garner from Bellefontaine, Ohio would have been the maker.

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  ezbme

  November 14, 2011 12:34

  Thanks MP, didn't realize Garner was the builder. Any idea how old this is? I am a newbie, would this be considered a muzzle loader?

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  hrf

  November 14, 2011 12:46

  James M. Garner is listed in the 1860 and 1870 Bellfontaine censuses as a gunsmith born 1820 Pennsylvania or Ohio. He apparently died before 1880, as his wife and son are then listed in Sidney, Ohio.

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  MP

  November 14, 2011 16:21

  quote:Originally posted by ezbme
  Thanks MP, didn't realize Garner was the builder. Any idea how old this is? I am a newbie, would this be considered a muzzle loader?
  
  
  Yes, it's called a half-stocked muzzle-loader. There were gunsmiths in every part of the country making these before the introduction of mass produced breech-loaders.

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  rufe-snow

  November 14, 2011 20:07

  Although authentic, due to condition and quality of workmanship don't see it being a big buck collectors item. Unless there's some regional interest from Ohio collectors of percussion rifles, who would be specifically interested in firearms Garner made.

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  cbyerly

  November 16, 2011 04:49

  You have a very nice original hawken. A serious BP collector would pay at least 1K for it. The bore size is a little smaller than the average gun. It is indicitive of the very late percussion era.

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  ezbme

  November 16, 2011 07:06

  quote:Originally posted by cbyerly
  You have a very nice original hawken. A serious BP collector would pay at least 1K for it. The bore size is a little smaller than the average gun. It is indicitive of the very late percussion era.
  
  Thanks cyberly! Is Hawkin the model name possibly? Any idea how I can verify the caliber?

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  ezbme

  November 16, 2011 07:08

  Thanks MP & Rufe-Snow for your input!

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  hrf

  November 16, 2011 10:56

  quote:Originally posted by ezbme
  
  Thanks cyberly! Is Hawkin the model name possibly? Any idea how I can verify the caliber?
  
  
  Hawken in this case is a generic term for half-stock rifles usually shorter and larger caliber than the "Kentucky" rifles:
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawken_rifle
  
  Any gunsmith should be able to slug the barrel to determine exact caliber, but barrels were often "freshed out" and became larger caliber then originally. Your gun appears smaller caliber than those designed for the larger game in the West, and more appropriate for a midwestern farmer's use.

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  He Dog

  November 17, 2011 04:49

  I agree with Rufe-Snow and don't see this bringing much more than $500-$600 on a good day. Quality is just not there and condition is not fine.

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