Neatly fit and finished this fine flintlock longrifle was constructed by contemporary builder Matt Avance and engraved by Bruce Horne. This "Grand Rifle" features the angular lines of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The longrifle is stocked in a dense piece of highly figured curly maple, making it an ideal choice for delicate raised carving. The rifle is trimmed with highly polished nickel silver furniture, all of which is neatly hand engraved by Bruce Horne. The large Siler flint lock, and 42" swamped Colerain barrel are finished to a silvery-gray patina. This rifle has only a few small handling marks, and the bore has been well maintained. Weighing in at 7.8 pounds the rifle has a trigger reach of 14" making it well suited for today's average size shooters.

The heart of the rifle is a .45 caliber 42" swamped octagon Colerain barrel. The swamped barrel is thickest at the breech for strength, tapers to a narrow waist to reduce weight, and flares at the muzzle to align the sights. The bore is rifled with six lands and radius bottom grooves in a slow twist for a patched round ball. The bore is bright and has been well maintained. Colerain rifle barrels are the favorite choice of today's best muzzle loading gun makers, because knowledgeable shooters demand Colerain's accuracy, inside and outside. Founded by two entrepreneurs, Scott Keller and Scott Kelly were tutored by Bob Paris, the famous rifle barrel maker who was first to perfect the technique for production of correct swamped barrels. Colerain rifle barrels are drilled from solid steel, cut rifled .012" to .016" deep depending on caliber, with six “round bottom" grooves. Called “radius groove rifling", Colerain eliminates the sharp inside corner that accumulates fouling. Radius groove rifling cutters are a bit more expensive to make, but Colerain's customers agree that the accuracy, easy loading, and easy cleaning are worth the cost. The barrel has been finished a silvery-gray patina. The top flat of the barrel is signed Avance & Horne ~ Grand Rifle~. The flat top rear sight is dovetailed 10" ahead of the breech. Shooters with "older" eyes or corrective lenses will find it easier to focus on the sights with this extra distance from the breech. A nickel silver blade front sight is dovetailed behind the muzzle. The flared tang of the breech plug is engraved with a floral pattern.

The buttstock has the classic angular lines of Lancaster County Pennsylvania. The buttplate is tall, wide, and nearly flat from heel to toe, and is engraved around the screw on the flat top of the comb. The dense, hard, curly maple stock is ideal for carving. The stock is finished to a medium brown with golden undertone. The lock panels are gently tapered widest at the rear in early flintlock fashion. Scrolls of incised carving decorate the stock around the flared tang of the breech. The wooden patchbox door is decorated with two lines of incised carving. The door easily slides open to reveal a cavity that is ready to accept your extra shooting accessories. A thick line of incised carving runs along the toe line on both sides of the buttstock before terminating behind the triggers.

Our bottom view of the rifle shows off the nickel silver toeplate and triggerguard that have been used on the rifle. Both the toeplate and triggerguard are decorated with very delicate lines of floral engraving. Well forward and out of the picture the wooden ramrod is held in place by three nickel silver ramrod pipes, one entry and two forward. Each short pipe is finished with octagonal flats and raised rings on each end. The entry pipe skirt is engraved with a floral pattern. The ramrod is fitted with a nickel silver tip threaded to accept 8-32 cleaning and loading accessories. The forearm is shaped with a line of incised carving, terminating just behind the nickel silver muzzle cap. Our backside view of the rifle shows off the decorative nickel silver sideplate that has been used on the gun. The sideplate is finished flush with the side panel and neatly hand engraved. The squared cheek is decorated with multiple lines of molding. Further back, the raised and incised carving is well defined around the cheek. An engraved hunter's star decorates the center of the cheek.

Ignition for the rifle is provided by this large Siler flint lock. The lock has the same silvery-gray patina finish to match the barrel. We recommend our #FLINT-AMBER-6 for best sparking. Behind the pan a slotted stainless steel 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 ignition. The double lever double set trigger is properly adjusted to allow the lock to be cocked, or the trigger set, in any sequence. Correct geometry gives this rifle a very smooth trigger release. Adjust the screw between the two triggers, inboard to reduce set trigger release pressure, our outboard to require a stronger pressure. When screwed fully inboard, the adjustment screw disables the rear trigger, so the rifle must be fired from the front trigger, which requires about a four pound pull for release. It is wise to disable the rear trigger, when hunting in very cold weather. But the set trigger can provide very light release, perhaps an ounce or two, for accurate aimed shooting during pleasant weather.

If you are in the market for a well made flint lock longrifle, then consider this fine Lancaster longrifle today. In excellent used condition with a bright well maintained bore, this fine flintlock will make an great addition to any black powder shooters collection. 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.