This James River Virginia longrifle shows a blend of English and Germanic influences. The large wide buttplate is typical of those found on many English fowlers, while the cheek piece is of Germanic influence. The large round faced lock is typical of many Southern rifles, and is designed for fast, reliable ignition. Stocked in curly maple, and trimmed in brass furniture with a lightly aged natural patina. The Jim Chambers' round faced flintlock is browned to match the barrel. The 42" swamped octagon barrel has a bright well maintained .54 caliber bore. The fit and finish is excellent on this rifle and it has a wonderful warm patina. Even with the 9.9 pound weight, the swamped barrel gives this rifle excellent balance. Trigger reach is about 14" to fit today's taller size shooter.

The .54 caliber by 42" swamped octagon barrel is cut rifled with seven equal size lands and grooves with a slow twist for shooting patched round balls. The muzzle has been slightly coned to ease loading. The bore is bright and has been well maintained. The exterior is finished to a deep chocolate brown and is unmarked. The flat top rear sight is dovetailed 10" ahead of the breech. The front sight is a nickel silver blade dovetailed 1-1/2" behind the muzzle. The flared tang of the breech plug has a single bolt that passes through to engage the trigger plate below. The screw slot is neatly aligned with the barrel. Four small iron pins retain the barrel to the forearm.

The curly maple stock is finished dark, and has worn bright along the wrist and just behind the entry pipe on the forearm where the rifle is often handled. The stock has a few minor handling marks and the brass furniture has developed a mellow patina. The fit and finish is excellent on this rifle, with tight inletting throughout. Modeled after the guns made at James River, Virginia, this rifle has a comfortable wide flat buttplate, probably circa 1750 to 1780. The buttplate has a stepped English influenced comb. The top view shows the tang is surrounded with a raised shell carving that flows down into the lock panels. A thumb relief has been carved at the base of the sliding wooden patchbox. Beneath the door is a deep cut cavity for storing flints, patches, or other shooting accessories. A line of raised molding runs along the toe line and wraps around the front of the triggerguard final before running along the opposite side of the buttstock toe line.

The triggerguard has a wide bow to accept the double set triggers. Shaped with a flaming urn finial at front, the triggerguard is mounted with a combination of pin and screw in early fashion. The buttplate extends just past the toe of the stock to provide a small amount of protection to the fragile wood at the toe. The toe is often one of the most common areas to acquire dents and dings. The forend is slim and graceful, despite the large .54 caliber barrel. The swamped octagon barrel dramatically reduces the weight, and improves the balance of this long rifle. The forearm of the stock is decorated with an incised molding that terminates behind the brass muzzle cap that protects the end grain of the stock. The barrel is served by a wooden ramrod with an iron tip threaded 10-32 for loading and cleaning accessories. The classic square longrifle cheek piece is shaped with a molded edge across the face. Raised and incised scrolls decorate the area behind the cheek piece. The large brass sideplate holds two lock bolts which engage the lock on the opposite side.

The round faced flint lock, by Jim Chambers, provides reliable ignition. This attractive early English flint lock has a round faced cock and plate, and rounded frizzen and pan surfaces. Locks of this design are often found on American longrifles and fowlers of the 1730 - 1770 era. The plate, cock, and other surfaces of this lock are browned to match the barrel. We recommend our 7/8" knapped English flints for use with this rifle. Fast ignition is assured by the stainless steel vent liner, positioned well above the bottom of 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 double lever double set triggers fire set or unset, for target match shooting, or cold weather hunting with gloved fingers. Turn the set screw, between the two triggers, inboard, until the rear trigger is disabled. After hunting, return the screw to its normal position, and adjust it to make your set trigger as strong or as feather light as you prefer, within the limits of safe use.

Thomas Jefferson once said, "Games played with the ball and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun, therefore, be the constant companion of your walks." This gun epitomizes that quote, and it is sure to be your constant companion at your next reenactment or when walking through the woods on your upcoming hunting adventures. The lucky new owner will be proud to own and display this wonderful rifle! 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.