youngod 1,339 Posted August 17, 2018 http://www.ambroseantiques.com/flongarms/young.htm I am almost certain I know the answer to this question but I am going to ask it any way. The above rifle is very likely from my family in the 1700s. We are 98% certain of this. We've done our genealogy research. I don't know if I can put this as a direct descendant, just a family member. A few years ago an exhibition came to the TN state museum here in Nashville. A banker friend of mine invited my wife and I to go on opening night. It was an early TN history exhibition. As I rounded one corner I came upon a TN rifle from Jacob Young. I do know that Jacob is a direct ancestor. I almost crapped when I saw it. Long story short I convinced the museum curator to contact the owner to see if he would be willing to sell it......He contacted me. Yes! $60K . I have been wanting a Brown Bess and really saving my pennies to get one. Now this comes along. My question is buy this rifle which is likely family (not 100% sure) or wait and buy the Bess 1st or 2nd model? I am pretty sure both will increase in price over time, but which one the most? I would rather have the Bess if this wasn't family. That small % of doubt is killing me. Here is info on Jacob http://www.americanhistoricservices.com/uploads/1/0/3/4/10348480/kra_bulletin_spring_2014_v13_1to11_lres.pdf Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wish2no 672 Posted August 17, 2018 If you can afford it without sacrificing other needs or obligations and its something you value as much I say go for it. If it has family history to you it is worth more to you than anyone else. As an heirloom to YOU it is priceless. Is this something your children will cherish as much as you when you are gone or will it be something they sell off at a loss? 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
meh77gmc 291 Posted August 17, 2018 Wow! That is cool! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NONEYA 871 Posted August 18, 2018 That is a heck of a piece of history. I do not know the value of such rifles. The price seem high to me. But with the history behind it, it could be worth it. You could search for years and not find another one like that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
youngod 1,339 Posted August 18, 2018 If you can afford it without sacrificing other needs or obligations and its something you value as much I say go for it. If it has family history to you it is worth more to you than anyone else. As an heirloom to YOU it is priceless. Is this something your children will cherish as much as you when you are gone or will it be something they sell off at a loss? Great question Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
newbe 2,096 Posted August 18, 2018 If you've got the coin and want to spend it on this, who are we to tell you no? Just make sure you bring it to the next Armory Appleseed shoot next year so you can show it off! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gshayd 2,732 Posted December 14, 2018 lol....We are not the right people to ask if you should buy a rifle. How did the guy come at this valuation? Has anything similar been sold? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Joel74 3,923 Posted December 14, 2018 (edited) Anyway to find out if there is a true family connection? I'd think you could find someone who does genealogy to see if he was an ancestor. My thoughts are that if he is a true ancestor and you have the money then go for it. Maybe, contact the gentleman selling and see if he'd sell for less. I've seen these listing stay on Ambrose Antiques for years. Depends on if he needs the cash. Secondly if you can't verify you're an ancestor I'd pass it by and continue looking for the Brown Bess you want. JMHO Edit: Didn't see the date posted. I see the price is "Hold" on the site. Does this mean you put in an offer? Edited December 14, 2018 by Joel74 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alpo 770 Posted December 14, 2018 Nice rifle and great story. That is a lot of money for a rifle. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Retcop 4,902 Posted December 14, 2018 55 minutes ago, Joel74 said: Anyway to find out if there is a true family connection? I'd think you could find someone who does genealogy to see if he was an ancestor. My thoughts are that if he is a true ancestor and you have the money then go for it. Maybe, contact the gentleman selling and see if he'd sell for less. I've seen these listing stay on Ambrose Antiques for years. Depends on if he needs the cash. Secondly if you can't verify you're an ancestor I'd pass it by and continue looking for the Brown Bess you want. JMHO Edit: Didn't see the date posted. I see the price is "Hold" on the site. Does this mean you put in an offer? This is exactly what I was thinking. You need further research try and settle the question of whether or not that rifle was owned and used by one of your family. If this can be determined to a certaintanty that will always that almost never be 100%, it would greatly influence my interest in buying it. The frank question of w"ill it matter to anyone in the family beyond you?" is a very valid and extremely important one. As it is, the rifle seems to be in very good hands, and it is being loaned out for display to people who can appreciate its providence. It does not get much better than that. I wonder what the asking price would be if the seller was not aware of the family connection ? Maybe you can set up private meeting with the current owner to view the rifle and get to know each other as men. Having specialized in American History, your confirmation is most likely to come from something your family member wrote about ordering or taking delivery of the gun, gunmakers notes or order forms, information from the engraver if that was commissioned separately, or a mention of the gun in a letter or journal entry of family members, friends, manufacturers, a fellow soldier, etc. The seller himself may have the final pieces of the puzzle you need, but in my opinion there is much more to consider than whether or not to purchase the piece. Good luck, my friend, John John Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
