This flintlock smoothrifle is representative of those guns of the Reading Pennsylvania with a Lebanon influence circa 1760. The design of this rifle was highly influenced by rifle No. 39 shown in Rifles of Colonial American, Volume 1 by Dr. George Shumway. Stocked in a very dark stained piece of maple, the rifle is trimmed in brass furniture. The Chamber's Deluxe Siler flintlock is browned to match the octagon-to-round barrel. This 20 gauge smoothbore is very neatly assembled with well fitted and finished parts. The rifle was built and signed by G. Rasche and is offered in new condition. Even with the 9.5 pound weight, the octagon-to-round barrel gives this smoothbore excellent balance. Trigger reach is 13-1/2" to fit today's average shooter.

The 20 gauge by 42" octagon-to-round barrel transitions from eight flats to round with a single wedding band. We recommend our 20 gauge wads and cards for use with the .615" diameter bore. The bore is bright in as-new condition. The exterior of the barrel is finished to a smooth chocolate brown and the top flat is signed Ge Rasche just behind the rear sight. The barrel is fitted with a brass blade front sight soldered behind the muzzle. A low flat top rear sight is dovetailed 10" ahead of the breech. The front edge of the rear sight dovetail is staked.

The plain maple stock is finished dark to an almost black tone. This smoothrifle has a comfortable wide flat buttplate, probably circa 1750 to 1780. The comb of the buttplate is decorated with five flats and a band. The two piece brass patchbox opens with a push button found in the comb of the buttplate. Beneath the door is cut cavity for storing flints, jags, or other shooting accessories. A line of incised carving runs along the toe of the buttstock to the rear of the trigger plate. The lock panels gently taper widest at the rear in early flint longrifle fashion. The rounded flared tang is surrounded with raised carving.

The bottom view shows that no toeplate is fitted to help protect this delicate area of the stock when loading. The triggerguard has a very strong Germanic style and is correctly pinned in place. The forearm of the stock is shaped with an incised molding along the edge of the ramrod channel. The muzzle end of the forend is protected with a brass muzzle cap. The barrel is served by a ramrod with a browned steel tip threaded 10-32 for loading and cleaning accessories. The ramrod passes through brass octagon pipes with rings and a matching entry pipe. The large brass sideplate fills the side panel in Germanic fashion. The classic square longrifle cheek piece has raised carving surrounding it on both sides.

Ignition is provided by a Jim Chambers' deluxe Siler flint lock. Tuned for best performance the deluxe Siler lock features a slightly larger cock, and fancy frizzen spring. The beefy mainspring provides lots of energy, and this fast lock will throw a shower of sparks. The lock is finished to a dark brown that matches the finish of the barrel. Order our best 3/4" flints, #Flint-ENG-6, for best performance in this flintlock. The frizzen shows only a few marks from test sparking. The stainless steel touch hole liner is properly positioned on the pan, 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. The single trigger is pinned to provide a smooth release of the lock.

We recommend this simple and attractive smoothrifle for the Revolutionary War enthusiast. Offered in new condition, the bore is bright, clean, and ready to shoot. 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.