Hello all, 
A buddy of mine was at his favorite gun store and sent me a picture of a custom High Wall in 32-40 with a 20x Lyman Super Targetspot, a couple hundred brass, bullets, dies, extras, $1500! I told him it was a no brainer, buy the thing. He did. Come to find out the barrel is marked K R Briesen Warsaw, NY. 
Found an old article "Riflemagazine.com. Jan-Feb 1984, number 91" about him. Not much more. Can anyone lead me to more info on Mr. Briesen? Any thoughts as to value range? Rifle has either been loved or shot very little. Nice wood, but plain Jane. What I would call an honest rifle. Wood is checkered.
Question two is on the trigger plate immediately behind the trigger is "AT Oct 7th 79". I know Mr. Browning applied for the patent on the single shot rifle in 1878, so maybe this is a patent date, but can anyone educate me as to "AT"?
The serial number leads me to an 1893 manufacture year. 
Thanks for you're input, Merry Christmas all!

The serial numbers and stampings are crisp and clean. Can't see any sign of refinishing as far as they are concerned

Unfortunately, we lost Ken a few years ago. I think he was best known for his heavy muzzle loading bench rest rifles, both round ball and slug guns. He was a national level competitor at Friendship and shot at Saratoga and Ticonderoga in NY. I may have the last barrel he cut when he switched to making violins. The gentleman was extremely talented.

Bill

Squirrel Pizza wrote on Dec 18^th, 2016 at 9:59pm:


Thanks, but though I'd completely forgotten about it, I actually have a complete run of the Rifle from issue No. 1 until the late '90s.  I'll provide you with a copy of the piece I have if you wish. 

Thank you Redsetter and yes, if it's not too much trouble I'd love a copy! A Erik thanks you as well. He's taking the rifle out for a test drive tomorrow. Looking forward to hearing the results but I'm pretty sure he'll be hooked! Much appreciated!

Ken actually "retired" at least twice from Barrel making. But within a few years returned as he made more money that way than with his wood working efforts. Not that he was not good at it just that he had a better following in the shooting game. He rebored and made from scratch some really fine Schuetzen
rifles. Here in the New England area he was our go-to guy. I have a full Helm style by him in 32-40 and until you look close you could not tell it from a top of the line from Winchester. He passed about two years ago I think, or close to that. He is missed and in any grouping of Schuetzen enthusiasts here in New England his name comes up. It was many years before I became aware of his reputation in the Heavy Slug Gun game. At a Club match yesterday a friend brought his name up about a Cross Patch Slug Gun Rifle he owns and shoots by Briesen.
Could not say enough about how well it shoots. HTH Regards, FITZ.

For about two years after he retired from making barrels he would show up at Friendship with a few barrels for Special customers. and every match a couple of guys would show up and ask Ken could you make just one more barrel for me? He had so sell his barrel making equipment to get out of the business.

40 Rod

Thanks Squirrel Pizza...I am trying to post a picture of the Briesen high wall. Sounds like I have a lot of learning to do (including patience)....  first 4 reloads powder combinations got me nothing fantastic, mostly 2-3" with 5 shots at 100 yards.  One group was one inch, except for one round that drug group size to 2".  Neat rifle from another era.  I  am a long way from investing in breech starting, not even sure it's possible with high Combe and scope?