Charming.

Aaron

This was Schoyen’s rifle. It was owned by John Dutcher and sold at his auction in 2004

I remember that gun, but I doubt it was the gun Schoyen used for offhand matches. It certainly is likely the gun used for benchrest matches with that buttstock. But I recall another image of a full schuetzen rifle Schoyen is seen holding in a old picture of the Denver Rifle Club team. Hope I can find the image again, as I didn't save it to my computer, and don't even recall if it's a 1885 or a Ballard?
Might have to ask John Dutcher when I get to the CGCA show next May. It seems he told me once the family wasn't interested in selling his offhand rifle, when he bought the one pictured above.

JLouis wrote on Nov 11^th, 2018 at 12:49pm:


Dutcher's description says it has a crescent plate.

I have found the length of pull to be shorter for a dedicated offhand rifle compared to one that is dedicated to shoot off the bench. I also missed the description of what was under the leather pad that had me wondering what it might be.

Ssrifles, do you know anything about the rifle's history (provenance) other than the info that's seen here in this thread?
I'm in the camp that the engraving wasn't likely done on Pope's nickel, but the rifle may, just may, have been his once. Tell us, if you know, please.

Thank you. I would be nice to learn the latest on this really unusual piece.

JLouis wrote on Nov 15^th, 2018 at 10:15pm:


It's often all we might have on guns this old. It's a rare gun that survives for a century, or close to it, and somehow has provenance documented to it that can be proven. When those guns do show up, or when their documentation shows up, it's always much easier to accept the story.