Some of you may have seen my thread in the shotgun forum:
http://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=490078#Post490078

Along with the barrels, I acquired the remains of a Lawrence and Jennings rifle.

I'll get pictures added shortly.

I have the barrel, 'magazine tube' and the receiver. Any value, or an interesting wall hanger?

If only it was as complete as this one: https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail...ng-rifle#detail

Looks like it's had a tough life, but if you have the skills to make the stocks and missing parts, I think it's worth saving.

I like old guns, but not quite this old.
Rather get it off to someone who will appreciate it.

Relic~~rusty one at that,,,
I've got a dug-up Trapdoor breechblock I'm not going to try and make a rifle out of.

You don't say?

Clear you were trying for sarcasm, but even if minimal, I am sure the value of this relic is more than your breechblock.

Questions for you Steve.
1) How many Trapdoor breechblocks were manufactured?
2) How many Lawrence and Jennings rifles were made?
3) Other than bumping this, do you have a useful comment?

I think that there are not only collectors who would be interested in this type of gun, but also those who enjoy saving historic guns, and aren't afraid of work. Not everyone can afford one in extremely nice condition, so for every crusty gun, there's someone who wants to put out the effort to save it, and enjoy the process.
As you say, it's much more complete than a Trapdoor breechblock, and much more valuable too. Worth saving to some folks. Not what I collect, but in the guns I do collect, I've saved some less complete, and in pretty tough shape when I started. It just depends on the price, and the investment of time and money. Plus how much the owner can do himself.
I think it's more a candidate for a "sympathetic restoration" than a full restoration. Just getting it running, and stocked again so it can be fired.
I gave $250 for the #4 Perfection (bottom gun in this picture) and couldn't save anything but the action and buttplate. I think I ended up close to $1000 total when I finished restoring it, but felt it was better to restore it, than to part it out, since it was such an unusual configuration.





That's a first year Marlin Ballard, built up at Marlin from Brown Mfg. leftover parts. The rare pinned lever, and pin in the frame that Brown used, but Marlin's automatic extractor, and a rare 34" half octagon .45-70 barrel.

Easy big fella, you are a might sensitive~~

It's your relic and you can do whatever you want with it.
As for value? Nothing to me, not saying there aren't folks that might want to buy it, but no offers so far.

I've got a few in the corners of my shop that you might be interested in....Should I troll them here?
There is a guy that displays an extensive rusty & relic rifle collection, I'll bet he'd be interested?
Be careful about removing any more rust.

As for the value of this post?
Are they supposed to have value?
Most are just random comments.

Where did I ask for an offer? I asked for information. I didn't know this company or rifle existed until yesterday.

If this is trolling, what should we call the drunken rants you used to post?
Don't dive into threads you have nothing to offer, okay?

Just my guess,,but the relic piece in question is(was) a single shot percussion rifle built of left over Jennings & Lawrence Repeater Rifle parts.
The J&L Repeater used a 'volcanic ball' (hollow based bullet with BP propellent in the base). It also used a auto drop pellet primer feed mechanism,,that's what was in that large round opening on top of the frame.
The repeating rifle's percussion hammer had a very long thin tapered nose extending from the normal percussion looking hammer head that reached down through a hole in the top of the frame to reach the pellet primer when locked into the breech to fire the rifle.

That hole where the J&L Repeater hammer nose used to enter the frame is now where a common percussion nipple is seated.
This all points to a conversion (or perhaps a factory build of left over parts?) of a standard muzzle loader rifle on the J&L frame. Nothing to waste.

Quite often J&L rifles seen in collections,,and there aren't many,,are conversions to muzzle loaders. Simply making use of what they had. Useful items where the originals would not be w/o the original ammunition & the pill primers being available. Plus the orig ammo was not at all powerful.


Just some thoughts.

+1 Kutter and there is a good YouTube video that explains much of what you just commented on.

When you put 'Lawrence Jennings' into the YouTube search, there are some, uh, interesting videos before you scroll down to these!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnJbIZm0FW8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fggK6m315DI

The videos makes it seem to be a consequential relic.
I'm glad I asked the question, even if some were less enthusiastic.

I think it might be pretty interesting to convert it back to the self contained bullet/powder type rifle. Would take a talented hobbyist, or gunsmith, but would be pretty nifty!

Touchy~touchy~touchy~~~

Everybody agrees, it is a relic, rusty one at that:>)
Are your shotgun barrels equally rusty?

You're a real sweetheart Mikey

Showing your character again, Stevey?

On the bottle early on a Sunday night? You dropped into this thread with sarcasm and poor taste.

If this is trolling, what would you say it is when you post pretty pictures of your 'classes'.

Do you tell your students that if they went to the ACGG website and looked for members in their area, that many of the members will willingly give of their time. Members wanting to pass the knowledge on and bring new people into a waning trade.

Instead of collecting a few dollars and bragging about it on the web?

YMMV.

Nah, I think this one is ready for observation and interesting discussion. Thread led to learning some interesting history about lever guns and a manufacturer I had never read about.

Someday I'll put in on Gunbroker. If I don't, it will end up sitting in a corner. Even if it is only valued the same as a rusty breechblock, someone will likely enjoy owning it.

Like most gun guys, I too have some "project" and "relic" guns sitting around my gun room. Some are obviously not worth restoring, or even getting running, as they are too common. Others are simply neat "art" as they have good stories. One old 1881 Marlin lever action was found near Wounded Knee. Another old gun was dug up by a local farmer plowing his field, and it bent the barrel 90 degrees. But they are fun to hang on the walls of my gun room. I've been offered pretty good money for the 4 I have, but they're fun to look at and talk about, so they're still here.

Thanks Mike for posting the video links. You have an interesting action there. I agree with your last posting.
One thing that has always fascinated me is how were these companies back in the early 19th century and before, were able to manufacture such fine examples of craftsmanship. Just being able to study this often is worth keeping it around.
I will look forward to your updates, if you will please, as this project develops, whether that be a restore, sale on GB or just standing in the corner helping to support the wall.

https://jamesdjulia.com/item/52355-1-397/

LRF,
It has taken awhile. Obviously not a priority.
Listed on GB: https://www.gunbroker.com/item/743190888

If someone from this site ends up bidding/buying this relic, let me know and I will send Dave his vig.