1 review    
Item:
ONJR22MAX013

Original U.S. Pennsylvania Flintlock Long Rifle Converted to Percussion with Full Tiger maple Stock - circa 1790

Item Description

Original Item: Only One Available. Just purchased at a recent military auction! Here is a very nice octagonal barreled "Pennsylvania" style rifle, often referred to as a "Kentucky" Rifle. The design developed in Pennsylvania, and then spread down the Ohio River Valley to Kentucky, where it was very popular. The stock of this example is in fact just a bit more curved than typical, and gives it a lovely profile. It has an octagonal barrel in .50" caliber, which shows much use. It may have originally been a smaller caliber and bored out when the rifling became worn to make it a very nice fowling piece.

The style of the piece is similar to examples made by J. Roop of Halifax, in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, however there is no way to definitively attribute this due to lack of markings. The engraved lock plate was originally maker marked, but time and wear have removed the markings, leaving only "A" on the top, and the traces of WARRANTED on the bottom, indicating a commercially purchased lock. Many of these Pennsylvania rifles used "trade" locks, which could be imported from others states, or more often from England, who used the term "Warranted". The shape of the lock plate indicates that it was originally produced as a flintlock, with a "U" shaped inlet at the top for the flash pan. There are also traces of the holes for the frizzen and spring, now filled in.

We estimate that this octagonal barrel rifle was originally made about 1790, and features all brass mounts with minimal ornamentation. There are dovetail front and rear sights on the barrel, both made from brass. The lock is the most decorated part of the entire rifle, with lovely foliate engraving to the rear of the hammer. It functions correctly, holding at half cock and firing at full.

The full length stock is made from very attractive wood, which looks to be maple, stained a lovely chestnut color. There is light figuring throughout the stock, with some 'Tiger' flame figuring on the butt stock, which also has a great "Monte Carlo" style cheek piece on the left side. The right side has a lovely sheet copper patch box, held in place by iron screws. It is opened by pressing a small lever on the bottom butt plate tang up slightly to release the catch. The wrist of the stock has a white metal escutcheon, which is blank. The installed cleaning rod looks to be original, or a working life replacement, and has a brass rammer on one end, and a partial clearing "worm" corkscrew on the other.

Condition is very good, but definitely does show some wear from long use. There is a lot of powder burn around the nipple cone and bolster, so it looks to have seen significant use during its service life, before and after it was converted. There is also a bit of cracking around the side plate, but it does not look to be structural.

A very nice example of a late 18th Century U.S. flintlock rifle converted to percussion, with a lovely full length figured stock. Ready to add to your collection!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: c.1790 - converted later
Caliber: approx .51" smoothbore
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 40 Inches

Overall Length: 55 1/2 Inches
Action type: Side Action Percussion Lock
Feed System: Muzzle Loading

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.

  • This product is not available for shipping in US state(s): New Jersey

    This product is available for international shipping.
  • Not eligible for payment with Paypal or Amazon

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