This fullstock rifle is representative of a 1820 to 1830 era flintlock rifle made for the westbound trade. During this period of westward expansion many individual gunsmiths as well as larger enterprises produced rifles for the westbound trade. Stocked in maple with some scattered figure the stock is stained to a amber tone with golden brown stripes of figure. The rifle is trimmed in brass furniture that has been aged to a dark patina. The stock has a few handling marks and some of the furniture has a few edges worn bright. Trigger reach is 14" to fit todays average size shooter. Weight is 8 pounds.
The .54 caliber bore has eight cut rifled grooves. The 1" octagon barrel is 28-1/2" length. Cut rifled by Green Mountain Rifle Barrel Company the barrel is fitted with semi buckhorn Germanic rear sight mounted 9" from the breech. and a iron blade front sight dovetailed 2" behind the muzzle. Recoil should be modest when shooting our recommended hunting load, a .530 pure lead round ball, in a .017" ticking patch, lubed with mink oil patch cut at the muzzle after seating with a short starter, with 70 grains of GOEX FFg black powder.
The buttstock has the 1840 era plains rifle comb architecture. The double set triggers and triggerguard with finger spur are patterned from the work of H.E. Dimick of St. Louis, Missouri. The buttstock is fitted with a moderately curved buttplate to fit a shoulder well. and spreads the modest recoil of this .54 caliber longrifle over a comfortable area. The bottom view shows the toeplate and triggerguard. The rifle has only a single forward ramrod pipe and a ramrod entry pipe. The 7/16" diameter ramrod is a black synthetic with a brass tip threaded 10-32 for loading and cleaning accessories. The side panel has a attractive simplicity with a single tear drop sideplate. The square cheekpiece is a typical feature of plains rifles from this early period.
L&R's late English flint lock is similar to many English trade flintlocks found on American longrifles of the 1800 to 1830 era, This lock has a water-proof pan, roller bearing frizzen spring, stirrup link, and stiff mainspring. All features found on late flintlock designs. We recommend our 3/4" knapped flints for best performance in this lock. The L&R double lever double set triggers are correctly tuned to fire set or unset. You may cock the lock, or set the triggers, in any sequence. Thus, this rifle will serve you well when hunting big game during very cold weather. A tiny adjustment screw, between the two triggers, controls trigger release. Turn it inboard to reduces set trigger pressure, outboard to increase. Ignition is aided by the stainless steel vent liner, perfectly centered and correctly positioned well above the pan, to serve as a window on the center of the priming flash.
If you are seeking a very utilitarian .54 caliber Plains rifle, with dark finished brass furniture, maple stock, built from the quality parts made in America, you should consider this rifle. Order it for a ten day visual inspection. You will be delighted. Else if it does not fit you, return it in unfired condition for same-day refund. Postage is your only risk, when you order any one-of-a-kind gun from Track, whether new, used, or antique.
