This light weight fullstock rifle is a classic mid nineteenth century Ohio school longrifle with a curly maple stock, brass furniture, and R.E. Davis assembled Goulcher percussion lock. The curly maple stock is stained to best display the contrasting stripes of figure. The brass furniture has a mellow patina finish. The Goulcher percussion lock and straight octagon barrel are finished to a dark brown. As new, unfired, this rifle was neatly hand assembled by contemporary builder Mike Compton. Trigger reach is 13-5/8" to fit today's average size shooter. Weight is only 6.7 pounds, so you can carry it anywhere.
The .45 caliber barrel is 13/16" octagon with a handy 35-1/2" length. The bore is cut rifled with six lands and grooves with grooves wider than lands with a slow twist for a tightly patched round ball. The barrel is fitted with a flat top rear sight dovetailed 10" from the breech end of the barrel. The nickel silver blade front sight with brass base is dovetailed behind the muzzle. The bore is mirror bright in as new condition. We recommend our .440" pure lead round ball, patched with .017" Ox-Yoke brand bulk patching, cut at the muzzle. Lubricate with our Mink Oil patch grease, beef tallow, or animal fat lubricant, if you require best accuracy.
The curly maple has been stained to a warm brown to best display the broad bands of figure over the length of the stock. The buttstock has a very slight perch belly shape from the toe to the wrist, a feature found on some Ohio and New York style rifles during the mid 19th century. The rifle is trimmed in polished brass furniture with a patina finish. The short tang is secured to the stock with a domed head tang bolt.
The toe of the rifle is unadorned. The buttplate does stand above the wood slightly to provide some protection to the wood at the toe. The triggerguard is very slender in typical mid 19th century fashion. The forend is fitted with a brass muzzle cap to protect the end grain. The 3/8" diameter ramrod is fitted with a brass tip with 8-32 threads for loading and cleaning accessories. A single lock bolt secures the lock in typical percussion fashion. The sideplate has a lozenge shape and is inlet flush with the side panel. The buttplate has a modest curve to engage the shooter's shoulder.
The percussion Goulcher lock is finished with a dark brown finish to compliment the finish on the barrel. The Goulcher family made thousands of locks. They are found on plains rifles, late longrifles, pistols and shotguns of the 1840 to 1880 era. This well made replica lock used Ron Long designed internals, for fast lock time. The drum and nipple is well supported by the lock plate, critical on this style of ignition. The R.E. Davis double lever double set triggers are correctly tuned to fire from the set or unset position. You may set the triggers before, or after cocking the lock. Adjust the screw between the two triggers. Turn it inboard to reduce set trigger release pressure, outboard to require stronger pressure. The set trigger can provide very light release, perhaps an ounce or two, for accurate aimed shooting during pleasant weather.
A handy light weight percussion sporting rifle with attractive shaping, fit, and finish. 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.
