Longrifles made in the region of Bedford County, Pennsylvania, are immediately recognizable. These rifles are long, thin, and graceful, with a low comb. We may never fully understand Bedford County rifles. We know that rifles were made in Bedford County as early as 1776, and many were made between 1800 and 1890. This span makes the Bedford County rifle contemporary to the Brown Bess musket, the Hawken plains rifle, the Colt revolver, and even the Winchester lever action.

This 1840's era rifle is in the style of Bedford County maker John Amos, who was noted in the gunsmith trade from 1840 to 1844. The longrifle is stocked in curly maple, and trimmed in nickel silver furniture. The L&R percussion lock has the classic Bedford appearance with a long thin plate with square tail, and extended hammer spur. Trigger reach is 14" for today's average size shooter. Weight is 9 pounds.

The .45 caliber 7/8" octagon DeHaas barrel makes this rifle point easily without being overly heavy. The bore is rifled with six equal lands and grooves with a slow twist ideal for patched round ball. The bore is bright and has been well maintained. The top flat of the barrel is marked with the makers initials DEA. The flat top rear sight is dovetailed 9-1/2" ahead of the breech. A nickel silver blade sight with brass base is dovetailed behind the muzzle.

Stocked in curly maple the dark stained maple has narrow bands of figure, or tiger stripe but it is not consistent throughout the rifle. The rifle features a cameo wrist with raised and incised carving. Lock panels are accented with bone ovals. Trimmed in nickel silver furniture the rifle has a light patina on the furniture. The buttstock is fitted with a classic "Q" finial patchbox common to Bedford County. The engraved door has a push button release located in the toe. Modest pressure allows the kick open spring to release the door, revealing a deep cavity below.

The barrel is secured to the stock with four pins, each surrounded by a engraved nickel silver escutcheon plate. The forend is decorated with both a incised line and molding extending from the ramrod entry pipe to the muzzle cap. The cheek is angled to the rear, to recoil away from your face, an ingenious feature found on better rifles. The comb of the buttplate is engraved with scrolls, as is the flared tang of the breech. A bone thumb inlay is mounted to the rear of the cheek.

The bottom view shows the nickel silver triggerguard as well as the toeplate. The nickel silver toeplate is shaped with a extended finial, and is mounted with four steel screws. The button release for the patchbox is also located in the toe of the rifle. The triggerguard is brightly polished with a engraved floral design on the bow. The lock panels are shaped with beaver tail finials and the side panel is fitted with a engraved nickel silver sideplate inlaid flush. Two lock bolts secure the percussion L&R lock to the stock. The buttstock is shaped with a square stepped cheekpiece. The cheek is inlaid with a engraved nickel silver oval with a Federal eagle, a common theme on Bedford County longrifles. Raised carving decorates the area behind the cheek. The carving does have a small amount of fuzziness on the edges due to uneven background. A incised line extends from the toe to the triggerguard.

The L&R Bedford County percussion lock has a engraved border with scrolls engraved on the hammer and plate. See the similar locks in the book Gunsmiths of Bedford, Fulton, Huntington & Somerset Counties by Dr. James B. Whisker. The double set triggers are tuned to fire from both the set and unset position. You may cock the lock or set the triggers in any order. Adjust the screw between the two triggers, inboard to reduce set trigger release pressure, our outboard to require a stronger pressure. The set trigger can provide very light release, perhaps an ounce or two, for accurate aimed shooting during pleasant weather.

This classic Bedford County percussion longrifle is used with a natural patina on the nickel silver furniture. The .45 caliber bore is bright and has been well maintained. 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.