doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Lindner marked back action hammer gun

I don't think the gun was ever a pinfire if that's the original receiver. Conversions can be anything, but there is no room for the "hammer rest" on the top of the standing breech that a pinfire hammer needs.

In the way of an update, I went back and looked again, the gun was marked "Lindner & Co.". The action bore one proof mark that looked a lot like an early London proof mark with a V with something over it. I decided to pass when a cursory inspection through disassembly revealed what I believe were barrels off an American double (no proof marks) extremely crudely fitted to the action. Even if someone blew up the originals, they could have likely been salvaged through a sleeving job. However, some infinitely wise person decided to toss those and substitute a "new" retrofitted set. C'est la vie.

"Dan," this gun might be a post Civil War product or an assembled product of the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company, a New Hampshire located manufactory with which the inventor Edward Lindner was associated at time of the American Civil War. The company built a very limited number of rifles based on Lindner's innovative design, which productions are some of the rarest rifles manufactured for the war effort and also a much sought after prize for the period gun collector. These rifles usually bear only Lindner's name, but sometimes evince "EDWARD LINDNER'S PATENT MARCH 29. 1859" neatly stamped at the breech.

It is possible the business relationship did not end with the close of hostilities. Alternatively, Lindner might have sourced a company in England and had the parts imported and assembled in the United States by the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company, and then used the brand name "Lindner & Co" as the abbreviated maker name for the resultant product. All of this is pure speculation, and is only provided to further advance the discussion of the subject gun.


Regards,

Edwardian

Edwardian, thanks for that information. It seems like Amoskeag was primarily involved in the manufacture of muskets or rifles. Are you aware of any double guns coming out of that outfit?

Here are some more pictures of the Lindner that may or may not aid in identification.

http://s304.photobucket.com/user/djangofandango/library/Lindner?sort=3&page=1

In any event, if I am correct that the original barrels are lost, I would think identification may prove exceedingly difficult?

Dan S.W.
Here is my two cents worth. If it is a Lindner, and therefore German; if it was made before the proof law went into effect, it wouldn't have proof marks on the barrels. If the same gun were "in stock", when the law went into effect in May of 1893, it should carry a crown V ,showing it was made before the law(vorrat).
Mike

Der Ami, that is interesting information. The plot thickens, I suppose. I guess I will have to take a third look at this gun of extremely dubious provenance next time I am out that way, if still available.

I really felt like the barrels were not original as all the parts that connect with the receiver seemed to have been recently filed and crudely at that (in stark contrast to the action). There was also a blob of suspiciously fresh silver solder between the hook and the breech portion of the barrels on the rib.

"Dan," I do not personally know of a commercial hammergun or gun made by Amoskeag, but perhaps another correspondent here may have greater insight regarding the same. If this company was involved, in accordance with my speculations above, then it would more likely have been as an assembler of imported parts and not as a manufacturer of the product. There was a lot of private label activity during this historical period involving arms and parts sourced abroad, which lasted well in to the next century.

The "Lindner & Co" gun seems to have led an unattractive, improvident and uncertain life. You are probably correct concerning the barrels being from another gun altogether. It would seem too that its offering is not in good faith, when it is increasingly obvious that extreme alterations have been performed to cobble the thing together for the purpose of selling the result to a gullible buyer. It is a shame to see an antique unfeelingly and recklessly destroyed in this fashion, as it should have been left alone and its remaining dignity left intact. Regardless, I have enjoyed the mystery, entertaining the possibilities and the research concerning the subject gun, and wish to thank you for bringing it to our attention.

Hopefully, someone will rescue the piece and place it over the proverbial fireplace mantel where it can reside in unmolested peace. I have great empathy for elder metal and wood, and for that forgotten sportsman with this his pride and joy afield sometime in an era now long past.


Regards,

Edwardian

Edwardian, I appreciate your contributions and sentiments equally. Thanks for both.

In any event, I plan to check in on that gun periodically as it inevitably goes unsold for years. If it ever becomes available at a bargain basement price, I may pick it up as a mere curiosity if only to pop the locks off in the hopes of continuing to explore its origins.