zettler muzzleloader 1850's????????
I have a muzzleloader very ornate accented with engravings and scroll work with german silver trigger guards and rifle butt plate 40 caliber only id markings are zettler on barrel, several dealers are guessing it was made by gunsmith in the 1850's out of NY. But I have no idea. Anyone?????? have an idea or value???
0
-
Does it look anything like this one?
This thread will show you how to post pics: http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=259294
This article may help you somewhat:
Abraham Zettler was a careful and prudent man. The decision to leave his native Pennsylvania for the rich farming land of the Oregon Territory was not made lightly. With the decision behind him, Abraham commenced preparations for the journey west.
One of the first things Abraham did was to trade off the muzzle-loading percussion rifles he and his son Isaac had used for so many years. They were accurate and reliable, serving every need around the farm. But Abraham knew that along the immigrant trail, the safety of his family might well depend upon his skill with the rifle, and he wanted the best available.
In town, he looked over a new Winchester repeater. It was an impressive rifle, and certainly offered fast repeat shots, but seemed complicated. He was unconvinced it would withstand the rigors of the long trail
The shopkeeper attempted to hand Abraham another rifle. Seeing the loading rod in thimbles under the barrel, Abraham waved him off. "No, I just sold two fine cap-lock rifles, I don't want another." Rather than answer, the shopkeep simply smiled and pulled down on the triggerguard to open the action. The look on Abraham's face told the merchant a sale was near.
"What cartridge does it take?"
The shopkeep answered by placing an open box on the counter. Abraham examined the long lean .40-63 cartridge and compared it to the much shorter .44 Winchester shells. "And what is it called, this rifle?"
"It's a Ballard, Mr. Zettler," the man behind the counter answered, "The Ballard Pacific model."
To Abraham it seemed like fate. A short time later, he headed home with two of the heavy rifles in his wagon box, along with cartridges, loading tools and bullet mold. There would be thousands of miles and many uncertainties before him on the trek toward the distant Pacific ocean, but he knew he had done all a man could to guarantee his family's safety.0 -
I have a Ford 4 door car, very pretty,from sometime in the 1950's with chrome bumper and a v-8 engine. Anyone have an idea about what it is or it's value ? ???
Without pictures and detailed description, the responses to your question will be about as accurate as the responses to the above question regarding the value of a car.
There is a sticky regarding how to post pictures at the top of the page. Close up, IN FOCUS, pictures of all the unique characteristics and especially of any markings will go a long way to differentiate your muzzleloader between being a wall hangar or a priceless antizue.
With your description, I cannot even tell if it is a pistol or a rifle (I assume rifle since it has a rifle butt plate), nor whether its a percussion, a fllintlock, a wheel lock, or a match lock. All of them load from the muzzle, but they cover about 300 years of firearm design.
Work with us, give us something to work with !
Dan R0 -
Custom made Jaeger rifle with a Mississippi patch box.
The "sight" on the wrist is actually a focusing disc so you can see the rear sight clearly. Check the underside of the barrel for markings. I bought one nearly identical last year at a show for just under $500. There are two Zettlers listed in new York City. I believe yours was made by John Zettler in the 1850s. His business address was 71 Allen Street. CB0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
3 comments