A couple months ago I decided to take some of the money I got in my Mother's estate settlement and buy a couple nice Schuetzen rifles.

Last weekend was the Baltimore show.  A good friend called me the next day to tell me about this mint Axel Peterson/Schoyen rifle on a Ballard action that Gary Quinlan had for sale there.  Said to call Gary and hung up on me.  Not being a complete idiot, I called Gary.  Yes, I bought the rifle, since this friend told me if he did not already have two it would have gone home with him.

It arrived at my door step about 2pm.  It looks 99% new.  Got that funky three lever trigger guard add-on they used.  I think it weighs about 15 pounds.  Barrel is full octagon, and 30" long, and mikes 1.175"+/- at the muzzle.  It does balance nice, especially for the weight.  Came with sights, and really nice wood.  Oh, yeah, .33-47.  Now to measure the twist and get a proper mold made.  Thank goodness! for the dimensional drawings in Volume II of Tom Rowe's books on the Hartford Popes.

I have about enough money left to search for a nice Stevens-Pope factory rifle.  Then I can spend my remaining days making bullets and load testing.

Rich

To become interim caretaker of a rifle of that quality is a rare privilege. Congrats!

I can envision Axel, Harry and George pausing their heated card game long enough for Axel to glance down and comment “Well, let’s see if this guy is worth his powder. The last 3 owners never shot it, what a shame”.

I am still trying to post.

The rifle is stamped Axel Peterson, Denver Colo on the top flat.  I am assuming the stock work is by Schoyen.  It does have that funky three finger spur screwed onto the triggerguard.

Schoyen did little stockwork. He used a local stockmaker that did very fine work. Without looking, I believe his name was Simmons. It is unlikely that Schoyen had much to do with the rifle, unless it was a Schoyen rifle to begin with, and Peterson fit one of his barrels to it. If you have John Dutcher's fine book on Ballard Rifles, he devotes extensive space for information on both Schoyen and Peterson. If you don't have the book, you should try to find a copy. It is a lifes work, and well worth it. This is a good example of the need for good photographs.

Schoyen did little stockwork. He used a local stockmaker that did very fine work. Without looking, I believe his name was Simmons.

Henry Simmons was the stock maker employed by Schoyen/Peterson.

Rich    I am curious what the stamp on your barrel looks like. Most Peterson's I have seen are marked A. W. Peterson Denver Colorado, as opposed to Axel Peterson.  He may have changed stamps when he took over the shop from Schoyen. I will check with John Dutcher when I get the chance, and see what he knows. I am sure he has the right answer. Just interested to know, and possibly be able to help dating a rifle, or at least a barrel. He made them over such a very long time.