This flint longrifle is neatly fitted and finished and signed on the barrel by the late R. Greider. Trimmed in brass furniture, this fine rifle features a 42" straight octagon barrel and a large Siler flintlock. This rifle is a few decades old and has been very well maintained. The rifle weighs 8.6 pounds and has a 13-3/4" length of pull, to fit a today's average size shooter.

The .45 caliber G.R. Douglas straight octagon barrel is 13/16" octagon by 44" overall length. Douglas Barrel Company produced muzzle loading barrels in the late 1970's, and later dedicated there work to modern cartridge rifles exclusively. The .45 caliber bore is rifled with eight lands and grooves with a slow twist for a tightly patched round ball. The bore is bright and well maintained. The muzzle end is decorated with small stamped dots around the bore. A long base flat top rear sight is dovetailed 9-1/4" ahead of the breech. A nickel silver blade brass base front sight is dovetailed behind the muzzle.

Stocked in maple, the stock has been stained to a very dark brown and rubbed back to display the figure and golden undertone. All of the brass has naturally aged to a mellow patina. The brass patchbox is shaped with a head with three piercings and a feather finial. The head panels and door are all neatly hand engraved in a folk art style. The door has a button release in the toe. Press the button to open the patchbox door. The buttplate has a small cut finger relief to lift the door. The buttplate has a modest curve to engage the shooter's shoulder. The lock panel is framed with a panel of raised carving. The barrel is retained to the stock with three brass wedge keys fitted without escutcheon plates. These brass keys are captured to the stock to prevent loss. The keys have brass heads with steel bodies.

The bottom view reveals the squared toe of the rifle. A brass toeplate is fitted to protect the toe of the stock from contact with the ground during loading and cleaning. The toeplate is shaped and engraved with a finial that matches the patchbox. The trigger guard is neatly shaped with crisp filed flats and has a small amount of engraving on the triggerguard bow. The triggerguard is mounted with traditional retaining pins. Pins were much simpler for the gun maker to install than handmade screws. The ramrod entry pipe is framed with raised carving. The decoration continues as a raised molding down the forearm of the rifle. The ramrod is fitted with a brass tip with 8-32 threads for loading and cleaning accessories. The brass sideplate is shaped with a squared tail. The buttstock is shaped with a square cheek fitted with a brass hunter's star, and flanked by raised carving.

This rifle is fitted with a large Siler flintlock. The lock is finished in a matte brown and has a Germanic influence with the octagon pan and molding across the pointed tail. This lock has a strong mainspring and we recommend our 3/4" knapped flints. The frizzen on this lock has been resoled and sparks very well. The pan of this lock has a spacer between the bolster and the barrel that offsets it slightly from the barrel. This design technique was from the 1970's when builders were trying to replicate tapered lock panels using straight octagon barrels. Below the lock a single trigger has been pinned high to provide good leverage against the sear. The trigger has a return spring fitted so the trigger has minimal movement before contacting the sear of the lock. The rifle is fitted with a vent liner. The liner is positioned well above the bottom of the pan, centered on the heat of the flash.

This longrifle is signed by the maker and has very well-fitted furniture. The bore is bright and the large Siler lock sparks well. The rifle has neatly executed carving and has aged to a natural patina. It will be a joy to display, carry at your next reenactment, or shoot at the range! 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.