This rifle was made and is signed by Louis Smith of Johnson City, Tennessee. Mr. Smiths rifles are often highly decorated with zig zag engraving on the inlay. The design of this longrifle appears to influenced by the Lebanon County gunsmith Nicholas Beyer. A variety of information is available on Beyer and can be found in Joe Kindig, Jr.'s work Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle in its Golden Age, most of the info can be found on pages 232-241 of that work. Beyer is thought to have studied under, or with, J.P. Beck, and constructed guns of his own from the close of the Revolutionary War through 1815. This rifle likely dates from the 1970's and is stocked in curly maple with brass furniture and browned lock and barrel. The brass furniture has a mellow patina from long storage. Weighing in at 8.8 pounds the rifle has a trigger reach of 14" making it well suited for today's average to larger size shooters.

The .45 caliber G.R. Douglas barrel is 42" long straight 7/8"octagon. The bore is rifled with seven square bottom grooves, in a slow twist, for use with a patched round ball. This bore is bright and clean inside, in perfect condition. The exterior is browned, and does not appear to have seen much use with a dark brown finish around the vent hole, which is one of the first areas to display wear from firing. The left oblique barrel flat is marked G.R. Douglas and 45 Cal. The top flat is engraved Louis Smith. A silver blade front sight set in a copper base is dovetailed 1-1/2" behind the muzzle. A semi-buckhorn rear sight is dovetailed 10" ahead of the breech.

Stained to a very blond tone the curly maple stock has random broad stripes of figure. Metal to wood fit is excellent with tight inletting on the all the furniture. We did not find any cracks but the stock does display some wood shrinkage and the very end of the toeplate has lifted slightly from being pressed against the buttplate as the wood has pulled back. The buttplate has a modest curve to engage the shoulder. The comb is filed with five flats and a wedding band. The button release for the toeplate is positioned just ahead of the heel. Pressing this button allows the door to release and reveal a cut cavity for storing flints, jags, or other shooting accessories. The brass patchbox found on the rifle is the most recognizable Beyer feature on the gun. Beyer commonly used the long-necked bird on his patchboxes, rifle number 91 in the Kindig book is a prime example of an original gun with this style patchbox. Viewed from the top the stock seems to display a bit of cast-on. A short thumbnail tang breech plug is fitted.

The bottom view of the rifle shows off the brass toeplate and triggerguard that have been used on the gun. The toeplate, with its acorn finial, is held in position by three small nails that are worked into the engraved design. The stock does have a few dents above the toeplate. The triggerguard has cast-in engraving that is a bit different hand in style than the other engraving on the rifle. The forearm and forend of the rifle are decorated with inlays around the barrel pins. All the inlays are decorated with zig zag engraved borders. The ramrod is mounted through three ramrod pipes with paneled body and ringed ends. The ramrod does not have an provisions for threaded accessories and the ends are blank. The side panel is fitted with a brass sideplate with arrow point finial, which is a bit more typical of a Lehigh Valley longrifle. The sideplate has a hand engraved border and shell design below the rear lock bolt. The square cheek of the rifle is fitted with an oval decorated with zig zag borders and open work hunters star.

Ignition for the rifle is provided by a Palmetto "Barnett" lock. This lock features rain gutters on the pan in very early 19th century flintlock fashion. The lock is based off the same internals as the Ashmore flintlocks used on many models of Dixie Gun Works locks. The lock is finished to a dark blue and has a few engraved accents. We recommend a 5/8" knapped flint for use with this lock. This lock does spark well for a smaller lock. Behind the pan a touch hole liner has been properly installed in the “sunset" position. Touch hole liners are internally coned and help bring the main charge closer to the priming charge, ensuring fast and reliable ignitions. Below the lock a set of double lever, double set triggers has been installed on the rifle. Tuned and adjusted to fire set or unset, you may cock the lock before or after setting the trigger.

If you are in the market for a well made flint lock longrifle, then consider this Nicholas Beyer inspired rifle today. In as new, unfired, condition, this fine flint lock will make an excellent addition to any black powder shooters collection, or it may become the centerpiece of a forming collection.