Quoted: It's a Bess. Those extra holes in the front portion of the lockplate were for the frizzen spring.
Now, there's two ways to approach this. Keep it as is, especially if it's a military conversion. Second, restore it. This is more expensive and will destroy its historical value. Most museums would go for option #1.
BTW, any markings on the thumbpiece or the stock? It might suggest what unit was issued the Bess. |
On the stock theres a "BO" engraved into it with an arrow pointing up above it. Theres also a small engraving on the thumb side, very faint, looks like an O,J, and thee other letters that i can't decipher.
The plate is identical to this...
but with a crown added above the "GR"
The barrel also has three different engravings. A crown with "GR" under it, with an arrow below the "GR". The initials "SG" are next to that, and another crown with an "x' is below the first group.
From my quick reading on google, it appears this was a british government issue that was converted later. I doubt it ever saw the Civil War. My family didn't arrrive to America until after the war. Before america, they were in Canada for a few generation after leaving England.
thanks for all the help.