This Ohio halfstock longrifle is stamped on the barrel R. Beebe Springfield O and we find conflicting sources that reference Richard Beebe in business at 160 Main Street from 1853 to 1870, while another lists from 1861 to 1864. The overall style of the rifle is very classic Ohio style rile and is typical of many mid to late 19th century percussion long guns from the Eastern U.S. The rifle is assembled with a heavy barrel, percussion lock, and brass trim. Trigger reach is 13-1/4", about average for many antique guns. Weight is 8.5 pounds.
The barrel is 1" octagon with .41 caliber bore. The bore is rifled with seven lands and grooves. The bore has been recut and is bright. The barrel is fitted with a very low period silver blade front sight and a period flat top rear sight. The barrel is stamped R. Beebe Springfield O. between the breech and rear sight.
The walnut stock was stained to a reddish brown with a satin finish. The stock has many scattered handling marks. The buttstock has a very slender profile in mid to late 19th century style. The brass buttplate has a gentle curve to engage the shooter's shoulder. The tang of the breech extends to the mid-point of the wrist. The wrist has a small unfilled hole that may be related to a wrist repair. The stock has a repair along a grain boundary, that is very difficult to see unless held in in the light at the correct angle. The upper right hand lock panel has some nails in the panel. The stock does have some flash erosion on the breech near the nipple from repeated cap flash. The breech end of the barrel also displays a textured patina from the corrosive 19th century period caps.
The toe of the stock is protected with a toeplate screwed to the stock with two screws. The triggerguard is secured to the stock with two screws, which appear to be modern replacements. The tang bolt also passes through the triggerguard. The brass triggerguard has aged to a patina with scattered dark spots. The bow has a rear finger spur in addition to the curled grip rail. Forward on the rifle the ramrod pipes are steel, very plain with no decoration. The forend has a poured pewter forend cap to act as a ramrod entry pipe. The side panel is fitted with a brass lozenge style sideplate fitted flush with the side panel. The lock bolt only engages securely at the very bottom of the threads.
The square tail percussion lock had a die stamped design with the G. Goulcher name. The mainspring has been replaced at least once based on the extra hole drilled in the lock plate. The current spring is very strong. The tumbler axle hole in the plate is worn, and the tumbler can wobble in the hole. The tumbler screw is a modern replacement, and the hammer has a small amount of play on the tumbler. This lock only has a single position tumbler, full cock, to make it easy to mate to set triggers without putting a fly detent in the lock. The drum is fitted with a modern .255-28 threaded nipple. The rear trigger backlash is holding the sear up and you must set the trigger before you can cock the lock. The triggers on this rifle will only fire from the set position.
This antique rifle has a bright bore. The lock is functional with only a single position tumbler. As with any antique rifle we would recommend remotely test firing it before shouldering it yourself to prove it safe to shoot. Order it for a ten day visual inspection. You will be delighted. Else if it does not fit you, return it in unfired condition for same-day refund. Postage is your only risk, when you order any one-of-a-kind gun from Track, whether new, used, or antique.