1880's Long Gun

[Smokey596]

Hello! Posting for a friend trying to find information about this gun for her father. She was going to go to the Roadshow in St. Louis with me and bring it, but now she can't go. I thought maybe someone here could help.

She says it's an 1880's long gun made by a blacksmith named Hatfield. She says it's very heavy and about 5'6" long. Pictures below.

Thanks for any help!

[Smokey596]

Did it again. Sorry for the double post. It told me it didn't take the first time. I promise I'm not always this inept!

[mart]

Smokey this site does the same thing to me !!  Usually once I get that error message I check to see if it loaded before I post again !! 
Is the gun marked ??  Can you post a pic of it ?? 

[Rauville]

Hard to tell from a couple of pictures, but looks like a "trade rifle" style. That square-tail lock is indicative of the Leman model which was found at times on that style of gun. Trade guns were originally a low cost version of the fancier Kentucky / Pennsylvania long guns. They were intended to be sold in hardware stores, and other outlets to settlers and traders headed out west.
That "Hatfield" name is interesting, as there were guns under that name being made up to the 1980's - 90's in Missouri. Maybe we can get some information on markings, if any?

[KC]

No worries...deleted the other post!   

[mart]

I am waiting to see the mark too, Rauville !!  This is listed as a squirrel rifle,, Hatfield Rifle Company, St. Joseph, MO !!  Came in 32 to 50 Cal., 39 inch barrel !! 
Value,, NIB  $550. , down to poor condition at $150. !!  This looks like it would be fair to good condition, so $250. to $300. !!
Neat old wall hanger !!
Hatfield also made some shotguns that are pricier !!

[Smokey596]

Thank you all for the info so far! I passed it along. She said her dad thought it was a blacksmith named Hatfield who lived in Owensburg, Indiana at the time. He did call it a squirrel gun as well.

She's going to see if there are any marks and send me pics. Thanks again!

[Rauville]

... She said her dad thought it was a blacksmith named Hatfield who lived in Owensburg, Indiana at the time. He did call it a squirrel gun as well...

Could be...here are some good photos of one to compare yours with.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/24501307@N07/15897960007/in/photostream/

[mart]

  The info above is from 2016 Gun Collectors Bible !!  If its a Hatfield the prices above are accurate !!  Family lore can be mistaken and usually is !!  Hatfield was  a small Mfr. with only about 7 guns listed !!  All were shotguns except the squirrel rifle !! 

[KC]

Did somebody say Squirrel?

[mart]

LOL !!  Looks like one of mine !!

[Smokey596]

Ooooo...that's a great link! Thank you! It certainly does appear to be the same gun.

[talesofthesevenseas]

I'm relaying this info from Bruce:

He says this is what's known as a Tennessee Mountain Rifle or a "Poorboy".  It has the typical lack of entry pipe, rounded bolster, and squared off lock plate. That is not a Leman style lock plate, they came out much earlier in the 19th century and they were rounded.

[mart]

Ooooo...that's a great link! Thank you! It certainly does appear to be the same gun.

Should be easy to tell if its the older Hatfield or the later Hatfield Rifle !!  Just depends on how the name is on it !!

[talesofthesevenseas]

From Bruce:

I stand corrected. Those locks are a later period (1850s, 60s)than what I've seen (1830s, 40s).
Thank you for the information.