This pre-Revolutionary flintlock longrifle is assembled in the style of Colonial American rifles assembled with furniture from a earlier European rifle. The engraving and carving have a late 17th to mid-18th century baroque style. This rifle features a .50 caliber swamped Rice barrel mated to a Jim Chambers deluxe Siler flintlock. Trimmed in brass furniture, the rifle is stocked in curly maple with both raised and incised carving in a baroque style. The gun has only a few marks on the frizzen from testing and the bore is mirror bright. The barrel is signed by contemporary gunmaker Robert Faddis. Weighing in at 8.1 pounds, the rifle has a trigger reach of 14-1/2" making it well suited for taller than average to size shooter.
Forming the heart of the rifle is its .50 caliber Rice barrel. Measuring 42” in length, the swamped octagon barrel exterior has been polished and finished to a silvery-gray. The bore is cut rifled with seven round bottom grooves with 1 in 66" twist for a tightly patched round ball. Rice Muzzle Loading Rifle Barrels are set between centers and milled octagonal, insuring a centered bore, concentric with the exterior, with no "run-out". Each barrel is stress relieved in an atmosphere controlled electric furnace, to eliminate work hardening or barrel warp, and to dampen harmonic vibrations or barrel whip. After the rifling has been cut, each bore is "ball burnished". A carbide bore-sizing die is pulled through the barrel, to insure bore dimension uniformity, eliminating any tight or loose spots inside the barrel. This critical procedure leaves the top of the lands smooth and polished, equaling the traditional lead lapping procedure. Rice barrels are Match grade quality, with bench rest capability. Rice barrels do not require lapping or extensive shooting to break-in. The builder’s signature, R.J. Faddis, can be found on the top flat between the breech and the rear sight. A flat rear sight is dovetailed 11” forward of the breech, while a silver blade set in a brass base front sight is dovetailed 1-1/2" behind the muzzle.
Stocked in curly maple the wood has been finished to a warm brown with golden undertone. The transition of the comb to the wrist is highlighted with bold raised and incised carving that sweeps down into the molding that runs from the lock panels to the toe. The patchbox is engraved with scrolls and a shell design around the spring catch. All the of the engraving has been shaded for contrast. The four piece box is secured with seven small screws as well as brass brads. The patchbox release latch is pushed toward the buttplate to reveal a deep cut cavity for storing flints, jags, or other shooting accessories. The top view of the rifle shows off the long buttplate comb, which are often found on French Trade guns. The wrist is fitted with a nickel silver thumbpiece with a grotesque mask. A panel of raised carving frames the flared tang of the breech plug.
Looked at from below, no toeplate has been used on this rifle. The triggerguard is shaped with decorative finials, a wide bow with raised edges in French Trade Gun fashion. The triggerguard is mounted with a pin and screw in early longrifle fashion. A panel of raised carving frames the ramrod entry pipe and continues as a raised molding runs the length of the ramrod channel. Each pipe is finished with octagon flats and raised rings on the ends. The wooden ramrod is not fitted with any threaded tips to accept cleaning and loading accessories. We recommend our #RAMROD-C-44-10 to service this rifle. A brass muzzlecap protects the end grain of the stock. The rear of the rifle shows off the large brass English influenced sideplate. Held in position by a pair of dome headed lock bolts. To the rear the classic squared cheek of the rifle can be seen, highlighted by raised and incised carving that wraps below the cheek piece. All of the carving is very bold.
Ignition is provided by Jim Chambers' deluxe Siler flint lock, tuned for best performance. The beefy mainspring provides lots of energy, and this fast lock will throw sparks on the carpet. The lock is finished to a silvery gray patina to match the barrel. We recommend using our #FLINT-ENG-6 best English 3/4" flints for use in this lock. Fitted with a wide single trigger. Correct geometry gives this rifle a very smooth trigger release. Fast ignition is assured by the stainless vent liner, positioned well above the bottom of the pan, centered on the heat of the flash. A vent liner brings the main powder charge very close to the center of your priming 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 early flint longrifle is perfect for the Colonial enthusiast. The frizzen has only a few marks from test sparking, and the .50 caliber bore is mirror bright. It will be a joy to shoot at the range, or in the woods on your next big game hunt. 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.
