Left Hand Isaac Haines, Lancaster County longrifle, .54 caliber 38" Colerain swamped octagon barrel, curly maple, brass, Siler flintlock, use, signed by John F. Bergmann
Isaac Haines worked in Lancaster County, building fine raised carved longrifles of this style, during the 1770 era. He may have greatly influenced the artistic style of architecture and carving that made Lancaster County, Pennsylvania famous. This left hand flint rifle is neatly fitted and finished and signed by contemporary builder John Bergmann. Trigger reach is 13-3/4" to fit today's average size shooter. Weight is 7.8 pounds.
The rifle is assembled around a .54 caliber swamped Colerain octagon barrel. The 38" swamped octagon 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. Colerain rifle barrels are drilled from solid steel, cut rifled with six “round bottom" grooves with a 1 in 56" twist for a tightly patched round ball. The “radius groove rifling", Colerain uses eliminates the sharp inside corner that accumulates fouling. 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. A nickel silver blade front sight is fitted behind the muzzle and a flat top rear sight is dovetailed 9" ahead of the breech.
The angular geometry of the Lancaster County rifle is unlike the sweeping and drooping lines of other Pennsylvania rifle schools of style. Notice the incised line which forms a molding, from the triggerguard to the toe. The sliding wooden patchbox reveals the early Germanic heritage of this classic American longrifle. A steel spring latch retains the lid, with the release button centered at the rear of the lid. Gunmaker John Bergmann has surrounded the wrist with delicate raised carving. The curly maple stock displays nice tiger stripe figure over the length of the stock. The .54 caliber bore is tamed by the comfortable wide flat buttplate, popular on early 1760 - 1770 vintage longrifles. The comb of the butt tapers toward the slim cameo wrist. Tapered lock panels are widest at the rear. A flourish of raised carving, in rococo style, surrounds the tang. A short brass toeplate protects the toe of the stock. The ramrod pipes are shaped with panels and rings on the ends. The 3/8" diameter ramrod is fitted with a brass tip with 8-32 threads for loading and cleaning accessories. The cheek piece is surrounded with delicate raised carving in rococo style. The very rear scroll has a snake worked into the design. A brass sideplate retains the two lock bolts, and is also hand engraved. The top flat of the barrel bears the signature of John Bergmann in hand engraved script.
The rifle is fitted with a left hand large Siler flintlock. Assembled and tuned by Jim Chambers the lock has a strong mainspring and sparks very well. The vent liner is well centered, which provides a window to the main charge, directing the heat of the incandescent flash to the powder. Double lever double set triggers by R.E. Davis fire set or unset. Turn the adjusting screw, between the triggers, to change the trigger release.
This left hand rifle is lightly used with a mellow aged patina. The bore is bright and has been well maintained. This beautiful left hand flint .54 caliber longrifle will be a treasure for a lucky left hand shooter. . 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.
