Sweeping Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, architecture brings a sense of grace and refinement to this otherwise plain rifle. Constructed in the poor-boy, “Barn Rifle," or Schimmel style, it is purely utilitarian in nature. Stocked in cherry the rifle is trimmed in a limited amount of brass furniture. Signed by contemporary maker M. Compton the rifle is in as-new condition. Stocked with a trigger reach of 13-3/4" and an overall weight of 7.7 pounds, the barn rifle is properly setup for today's average sized shooter.
The heart of the rifle is a 32" by 7/8" straight octagon .40 caliber Colerain barrel. Colerain rifle barrels are drilled from solid steel, cut rifled with six “round bottom" grooves with a 1 in 48" twist. Called “radius groove rifling", Colerain eliminates the sharp inside corner that accumulates fouling. Radius groove rifling cutters are a bit more expensive to make, but Colerain's customers agree that the accuracy, easy loading, and easy cleaning are worth the cost. Unfired, the bore is bright, in as-new condition. The barrel is finished to a smooth dark brown. The front sight is a barley corn style brass blade. The flat top rear sight is dovetailed 10" ahead of the breech.
The cherry stock is stained dark and rubbed back to reveal a deep reddish tone. The wood is nicely shaped with graceful proportions and finished to a satin sheen. One of the defining characteristics of the Bethlehem school is the "roman nose", which refers to the convex comb and the concave wrist to toe. A third arc extends from the bottom of the lock panel and creates a very small step. The brass buttplate has a modest curve to engage the shoulder, and has the regionally styled comb that is fully inlet. The stock is as-new with no handling marks or wear from firing or cleaning, it does have one small area of open grain that is common to cherry near the right hand side of the heel. Cherry will pick up handling marks faster than other hardwoods used for stocks. The brass triggerguard is shaped in a classic Lehigh Valley style and is secured with a pin and screw. The bow is engraved M. Compton. The forearm is very slender and just wraps the barrel. No ramrod entry pipe is fitted, the two forward pipes are shaped with ringed ends. The tapered ramrod is fitted with a steel tip with 8-32 threads for loading and cleaning accessories. No muzzlecap is fitted and the wood has been gently relieved to allow easy access to the ramrod. The side panel omits the sideplate and the two lock bolts are fitted to washer style sideplates.
Ignition for the rifle is provided by a L&R Classic flintlock. The lock has a heavy mainspring and good internals, for long service life. The lock is finished to a dark brown to match the barrel. We recommend our #FLINT-ENG-6 3/4" knapped English flints for best performance in this lock. The single trigger is pinned high to provide good leverage against the sear. A stainless steel vent liner is fitted, which contrasts the barrel finish. The vent,is well centered on the heat of the flash. If your flint longrifle suffers from that infamous slow whoosh-bang ignition delay, study the work of today's best gun makers, and position your vent well centered on the pan, high above the bottom, to serve as a window on the center of the flash.
This slender Pennsylvania rifle is a classic barn rifle assembled with limited brass furniture. The .40 caliber 7/8" octagon 32" barrel gives it a modest weight without being overly muzzle heavy. The rifle is as-new, unfired by contemporary maker M. Compton. 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.
