Found MUSKET in thrift store.

[DaveN]

stats: 29" octagon barrel(rifled 3/4inch) barrel and other parts marked 566,has what i would call two royal crowns one on part you put the percussion cap on? the other in front of and above a K, an indented square with the letters AR inside and on the barrel OJR(or OIR) H No 58(or 581 or 58I its hard to tell for sure) (and the o in No is underlined) If this sound like something I'll post some pictures latter. It's really cool, but probably not worth too much as some one a long time ago made it into a lamp. crudely so the rifle was not changed but for some additional screw holes.

Information

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[Patrick Chadwick]

It is often hard to read old stamps correctly. And crowns were so common, you need to identify which kind of crown. So please post some pictures, of a) the entire gun b) the lockplate c) any markings you can find. That should help enormously in identification.
Number abbreviated as No. with the abbreviation point made as a stroke under the o indicates British/Canadian/US origin.

Patrick

[DaveN]

Here are some pictures.

[Claven2]

The stock looks to be either beech or oak to me and the style looks germanic Jaeger rifle to me. Possibly early percussion or maybe even a converted flintlock.

[DaveN]

More pics
http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/v...5/DSC_0859.jpg
http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/v...5/DSC_0856.jpg
http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/v...5/DSC_0855.jpg

[Gibbs505]

Great find there!

[DaveN]

I've been searching and the look of the stock and the lack of barrel bands and the K and royal crown has me looking at Ketlands of london(a lock company) that did not make the whole rifle. The shape of the hammer plate (pardon the ignorance) is almost the same shape. the rifle I compared looked older but my brass looked the same just not as fancy. Please let me know if I'm getting close. The stock seems to mimic a brown bess? the picture under and behind the trg gaurd has a stamping?

[Patrick Chadwick]

Now for some speculative fun!
That looks to me like a percussion conversion of an 18th century flintlock "Jäger". The stock is typical for a Jaeger, and the fitting for a hanger (NOT a bayonet) on the right side towards the muzzle makes it a military rifle. The style of manufacture is German (Hessen?) but the barrel marking indicates a British Military usage, as Jaeger rife No. 581 in a regiment or other unit indicated by OIR H. The marking with the crown on the percussion conversion boss is an acceptance/proof mark made when the converted rifle was tested/reproofed.

Good grief, that could be an antique from the War of Independence, and someone turned it into a lamp standard

If my speculative interpretation is halfway correct, you need to get that thing looked at by someone who is really expert in firearms ca. 1750-1820. And quite possible professionally restored. Or, of course, send it to me - I'll give it a good home

Patrick

[Patrick Chadwick]

In support of my speculation, here is a photo taken at a War of Independence re-enactment right here where I live:

Attachment 17186

And the gentleman at the end of the file is carring a replica Jaeger rifle.

Attachment 17185

Does that look familiar?

I'm not kidding - I think you really have found something special.

Patrick

[musketshooter]

It is a Germanic very early percussion military jaeger rifle. It should be about 62 caliber. I have a little earlier flint lock version of it. If you decide to sell or trade it. please contact me.