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York County, Pennsylvania longrifle,
.45 caliber, 42" swamped barrel,
Siler percussion conversion lock, maple, brass trim,
by R. Hetrick

AAH-643 York County, Pennsylvania longrifle, .45 caliber, 42" swamped barrel, Siler percussion conversion lock, maple, brass trim, by R. Hetrick . . . $1,899.00
In Stock, for immediate shipment

Stocked in hard and dense maple this stock is finished to a dark brown with a golden undertone. The brass furniture has been burnished to a satin finish. Age has allowed the brass to naturally develop a mellow patina. The large Siler lock has the appearance of a earlier flintlock that has been converted to percussion with the pan cut, drum and nipple installed circa the mid 19th century. Hand made by R. Hetrick the barrel is signed on the top flat.

The swamped octagon .45 caliber cut rifled barrel is 42" long. The swamped barrel is thickest at the breech, tapers to a narrow waist, and flares slightly at the muzzle. Cut rifled by Colerain Barrel Company, the swamped barrel balances this rifle nicely in your hands. Six deep round bottom rifling grooves are cut with a slow twist for patched round ball. Round bottom rifling, sometimes called radius groove rifling, has no square inside corners, making it easy to wipe clean. The muzzle has been coned to allow easy starting of a patched round ball. The maker noted that there is a small rough spot 3" in the bore caused by the coning tool. The rifle has been fired and sighted in at 50 yards using a .440 diameter ball, ..015" thick patch, over a 60 grain charge with good success.

Trimmed brass furniture the patchbox shape is identical to one attributed to Isaac Berlin shown in Gunsmiths of York County by Dr. James Whisker. The patchbox is correctly retained by steel screws. The button release for the patchbox is mounted in the heel of the buttplate comb. The patchbox is nicely hand engraved. The engraving is nicely shaded to provide good contrast. The transition of wrist to comb is offset with raised carving.

Trigger reach is 13-1/2" to fit todays average size shooter. This rifle weighs 8.2 pounds and balances nicely due to the swamped barrel.

Our top view shows the buttplate comb with button release for the patchbox. The flared tang of the breech plug is finished flush with the stock. A raised and incised Fluer de Lis leaf design surrounds the flared tang of the breech. The lock panels gently taper widest at the rear following the flare of the swamped barrel.

The barrel is finished to a smooth brown with a rusty red undertone. The breech end of the barrel is decoratively filed. A flat top rear sight is dovetailed 6-1/2" ahead of the breech, while a nickel silver blade front sight with brass base is dovetailed behind the muzzle. The barrel is secured with four iron keys rather than pins. The keys are well fitted without brass escutcheon plates.

Three small steel screws retain the brass toeplate. The toeplate is engraved with a oval scroll work. The burnished brass triggerguard has tapered octagon flats on the bow, to reflect the theme of the octagon barrel.

The ramrod pipes are shaped with octagon flats and ringed ends. The ramrod is slightly tapered, in antique fashion it does not have any tips for threaded accessories. We would recommend using a field rod to load and clean to save wear on this well fitted ramrod.

Sure-fire ignition is provided by this large Siler percussion lock This lock has the appearance of a flintlock that was converted to percussion in the mid 19th century. The pan around the drum has the appearance it was cut off. Small screws with installed to indicate the frizzen screw, and frizzen spring mounting holes. Neatly filed flush these are only visible as it is rolled in the light. A very correct detail for a percussion conversion lock. The lock is finished armoury bright.

The drum is shaped without a screw or wrench flats, just as on many antique rifles. The drum is installed with a 5/16-24 thread. Mr. Hetrick notes that it would be possible to remove the drum and install a vent liner with the same thread. A new large Siler flintlock would also require the lock bolt holes drilled and tapped. You would want to find a skilled gunsmith to attempt this.

The wide single trigger is pinned for highest leverage, giving this rifle a smooth trigger release.

This view shows the polished and brass sideplate, and stepped cheek. A incised molding runs from the toe of the rifle to the rear of the triggerguard. Raised carving decorates the area behind the cheekpiece.

This percussion long rifle appears to be well made with good metal to wood fit, burnished brass furniture, Colerain swamped barrel, and large Siler percussion lock with a highly detailed conversion. It should serve you well. Order it today!

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Ten day inspection begins at delivery. Send your approval. Else return it for same day refund, if not delighted. Postage is your only risk.

Call us, at 763-633-2500 during business hours, to discuss this nice piece in greater detail, or to place your order by telephone. Have your part numbers and credit card ready. We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover cards. First come - first served, so you may be wise to order now, using our secure On-Line Shopping Cart.

Quantity:	Part Number:	Description:	Price:
	BALL-440	.440" round balls, pure lead, Hornady, per 100	$9.65
	BORE-CLEAN	Track's best Black Powder BORE CLEAN Solvent, with flip-top spout	$3.75
	BP-45-10	Ball puller, steel screw, .45 caliber brass collar, 10-32 thread	$2.50
	BRUSH-45	Bore brush, bronze, for .45 caliber, 10-32 thread	$1.95
	FLASK-PP-3	Flint priming flask, throws about 3 grains, brass	$12.95
	FS-45-10	Fouling Scraper, flat face, brass, .45 caliber, 10-32 thread	$1.95
	JS-45-6-10	Jag, jagged cleaning tip, brass, .45 caliber, 3/8 rod, 10-32 thread	$2.25
	MAS-120	Powder measure, brass, adjustable 0 to 120 grains, with spout	$13.95
	MINK-OIL	Trapper's MINK OIL TALLOW, patch grease, for match shooting & cold weather hunting	$5.25
	OX-15-40-D	Shooting patches, .015" cotton, .40 - .49 caliber, per 100, dry	$3.20
	PICK-BRUSH	Pick & Brush, brass brush with steel vent pick	$10.00
	PICK-BRUSH-H	Pick & Pan Brush, with brass chain, button clasp, and black bristle brush, for *flint musket, rifle, or fowler*	$12.95
	RAMROD-6-10-B	Ramrod, 3/8" hickory, 48" long, brass tip, 10-32 thread	$11.95
	RAMROD-G-6-10-B	Ramrod, 3/8" fiberglas, 48" long, brass tip, 10-32 thread	$11.95
	ST-6	Short starter, 3/8" hickory rod, for .40 to .45 caliber	$5.95
	WORM-CORK-10	Patch puller, corkscrew worm, steel, brass base, 10-32 thread	$4.95

Home > Guns > Percussion guns > Percussion rifles

York County, Pennsylvania longrifle,.45 caliber, 42" swamped barrel,Siler percussion conversion lock, maple, brass trim,by R. Hetrick

York County, Pennsylvania longrifle,
.45 caliber, 42" swamped barrel,
Siler percussion conversion lock, maple, brass trim,
by R. Hetrick