I will soon have Hartford Pope #329. It's a muzzle loader and been in the same family since 1911. I will have it in 5 - 6 days and will post more pics then. For now I have attached a pic and placed arrows next to tools that I am unfamiliar with. Any HELP would be appreciated.

i would say the other tool marked is for the case mouth to straighten if dented. and could be used as well to seat a wad at the case mouth.

As for the pistol cleaning rod, first, it seems to be barely long enough for a six inch barrel and it also seems to have been remade from the handle end of a Marble's cleaning rod.

Bill Lawrence

   Thank you. The Pope is #329 from Hartford and not in the Pope / Hartford books. The owner I got it from says family history is his Great Grandfather got it in 1911. So he was at least the 2nd owner. If the cleaning rod was with a Pope handgun the plot thickens.

On Winchester barrels and Pope used their barrel blanks.

I really liked his approach. His focus was on barrel work and not building rifles so he was able to take full advantage of what he was gifted with in his life. Another thing I liked about him was how he was able to accomplish his work with a minimal amount of tools, tooling and machines to work with. He didn't make it out to be a rocket science approach but more of a common sense approach. And a true inspiration for those who also have a minimal amount to work with. Who are actually able to do thier own work not including boring, reaming and rifling a barrel. I have done all of my barrel work including my other self needs including making bullet moulds. With just a very well taken of used and inexpensive 12X37 lathe and a milling attachment and a hand full of files. I now have a real nice BP milling machine but I still cut my extractor slots on the lathe because I am so used to using that same setup and process.

Are we talking "Rigby Flats" like those now available on Shiloh Sharps?

Isn't the second arrow a breech bullet starter made from a case?
Looks like mine? (Which is decidedly not a Pope)

AS REQUESTED

Wow.  Really beautiful example of his work. I wonder if he did the stock work?

John Rigby wrote on Nov 25^th, 2021 at 1:18pm:


I'd bet he didn't. Pope was never a stock maker, and his own guns showed that. He concentrated all his expertise on making fine barrels. early on he made other accessories, but later dropped almost all, and other than barrels he only offered molds to go with the barrels.

Didn't Singer usually stamp his levers and butt plates (and maybe his stocks)?

Bill Lawrence

does any body know where the machine that done the matting is?  it was known by a friend of mine about 15-20 years ago and had been damaged but believe it was repaired. it was in the new york area and the contact has since died.    tony <><

One of our San Diego shooters/collectors who is quite knowledgeable was able to inspect it and seemed quite sure that the triggers and the fore stock with its unique checkering was by Bremmer.  His assessment was that the buttstock was not by Bremmer.  I would sure like to see a picture of the matting on the round section of the barrel if your able to post it Scharfe.  I thought that was really a nice touch!

Regards,
Joe