J.P. Lower Plains Rifle
I have an extremly nice,plains rifle, approximayely .36 cal.. It is a cap lock, so I guess it's about 1850 to 1860 vintage. It has a 38" barrel and all brass furniture. On top of the barrel is stamped
J.P. Lower. Anybody ever heard of a J.P. Lower?
J.P. Lower. Anybody ever heard of a J.P. Lower?
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email me at warpig883@yahoo.com
I can put you in touch with an EXPERT on American muzzle loading rifle makers.
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J. P. Lower has a very interesting history "Flayderman" in his 4th Edition makes the statement that Lower was only a clerk for a large Philadelphia arms dealer. This was in regard to both revolvers that infringed on the Rollin White patent owned by Smith & Wesson and knock-off deringers that were copies of the real thing, both of these handguns, were sold with Lowers name on them and they were made in Philadelphia.
Lower moved to Denver Colorado in the 1870's and went into business there.
Chances are your rifle wasn't made by Lower, but he was the retailer.
He stayed in business in Denver until the First World War. Apparently he was quite successful and prolific as their are many different types of commercial sporting arms that have his name on them.0 -
Good Evening: This a Topic Near and Dear to My Heart......
Satterly and Gluckmann's American Gunmakers lists J.P. Lower as being a Dealer and Maker of Arms at 281 Blake Street, Denver, Colorado. 1874-77, and specialized in Rim-Fire Cartridge Revolvers..
My database also says this of Mr Lower..
John P. Lower, Colorful gunmaker and Dealer was born in Philadelphia, January 23,1833 and was apprenticed to Joseph C. Grubb, maker of fine pistols and rifles. In 1858 Grubb started him on the road as a saleman.
In the late sixties he was selling guns in Wyoming and Colorado. From 1873-76 he was a partner in the Carlos Gove establishment in Denver.... After that he opened his own store and operated it most of his life.
J.P., Died in Denver in 1928 after a long and exciting Life.
By his own account, Lower furnished guns and ammunition for Buffalo Bill Cody, Jim Bridger and Duke Alexis of Russia. There are also indications that he supplied guns for the Indian Trade of the late sixties and early seventies. The 1931 Bannerman Catalog lists this piece on page 46: and says this about a Rifle of His [Lower]...
31-523 American Indian Rifle, Percussion lock marked J.P. Lower, Phila. Full length 40 1/2 inches with Full Stock. Guard and Butt plate are of Brass. Oval patch box is 5 inches long, about .44 and very heavy........
Most of Lower's activities in the Western gun Trade were after the period of the Plains Rifle...
Captain Kirk, Tech Staff0 -
Captain Kirk,
Not wanting to jump a post, but, Lower-was he or not licensed by Sharps? Wish I had your computer base. 1010 -
101AIRBORNE: Its possible that LOWER had a Franchise with Sharps...But No Mention is made in referance to that fact...best...Captain Kirk
Captain Kirk, Tech Staff0 -
This is an old post for sure, but just to set the record straight on John Prey Lower, he died August 22, 1917. His son Clarence sold off the remaining property of the store, including rare historical artifacts, and opened a loan company, probably a pawn and loan. He died in 1937. Got to www.davelanara.homestead.com to see a whole bio on Lower.
JP0
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