This California style fullstock is based upon an example shown in the book California Gunsmiths 1846 - 1900 by L. P. Sheldon. This rifle is stocked in Claro walnut and trimmed in brass furniture with nickel silver accents and a steel forend cap. The rifle is fitted with hooked breech, L&R percussion lock, and single trigger. Unfired, the rifle is finished a light patina on the barrel. Weighing in at 8.2 pounds the rifle has a trigger reach of 13-3/4" making it well suited for today's average size shooter.
The .50 caliber 26" Colerain barrel has six lands and radius bottom grooves with a slow twist for a tightly patched round ball. 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 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 exterior is finished to a dark brown. The bore is bright and ready to shoot. A globe sight is dovetailed 1-1/2" behind the muzzle. A step adjustable semi-buckhorn rear sight is positioned 3" forward of the breech.
The brass buttplate has a gentle curve to engage the shooter's shoulder. The Claro walnut stock displays some pattern as well as figure in the buttstock. A brass wilted lily cap box with nickel silver accent is inlaid flush with the stock. The capbox is polished bright and mounted with brass screws. To open the capbox all that is required is to lift the door until it cams open. Beneath the door is a small cavity for storing shooting accessories. The buttstock has a pronounced perch belly design. The wood has a few small cosmetic inletting gaps, as well as some small handling marks. The brass triggerguard is shaped with a wide open bow to accept the single trigger. The triggerguard is shaped with a offset grip rail in the style of early 19th century military rifles. The barrel is breeched with a long tang secured with a tang bole and wood screw. The brass wedge keys are captured to the stock. To remove the barrel drift the keys using a small hardwood, or brass drift past the underlug. Lift the barrel from the muzzle to to unhook the breech from the tang. The barrel channel displays visible bedding once the barrel is removed.
From below the toe is unadorned. Two wedge keys and a steel forend cap finish out the forend. The cap is well behind the muzzle to provide easy access to the ramrod. Two brass ramrod pipes are fitted to the stock. The 3/8" diameter ramrod is fitted with a steel tip with 8-32 threads for loading and cleaning accessories. The ramrod has been left long and extends 1/2" past the muzzle. The side panel is fitted with two sideplates with 1917 and 1918 dated coins as the sideplates. No cheek piece is shaped on the buttstock.
The rifle is fitted with a classic late Germanic style percussion L&R lock, shaped with smooth curves all around the lock plate. The dolphin, or gargoyle shaped hammer neatly reaches over the flash fence to the 1/4-28 threaded stainless steel nipple. The single trigger is pinned high to provide good leverage against the sear of the lock.
A fullstock muzzleloading rifle with very late percussion styling. If you are in the market for a .50 caliber California fullstock rifle. Stocked in Claro walnut and trimmed in nickel silver furniture. 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.
