Stocked in figured maple, stained to a light golden brown, this iron trimmed Southern mountain longrifle features a Green Mountain cut rifled barrel, small Siler flintlock, and double set triggers. This rifle is lightly used in excellent condition. This barrel is signed by the well known contemporary maker M. Avance. Trigger reach is 14 inches, to today's average size shooter. The rifle weighs 6.5 pounds.
The .50 caliber 32" by 7/8" octagon Green Mountain barrel is cut rifled with eight lands and grooves with a 1 in 70" twist for a patched round ball. Green Mountain Muzzle Loading Rifle Barrels are machined from high quality American made bar stock, A.I.S.I. 1137 modified, stress relieved, annealed, certified rifle barrel quality steel. All barrels are drilled from solid stock, reamed to a high degree of smoothness, then optically checked for straightness. Very close tolerances are maintained. The front sight is a tall steel blade with integral base. The rear sight is a full buckhorn dovetailed 10" ahead of the breech. Shooters with "older" eyes or corrective lenses will generally benefit from the extra distance. The maker's signature M. Avance is engraved in bold script, on the top flat of the barrel.
The curly maple stock is stained a golden brown, with a smooth satin varnish finish. The barrel and all steel furniture have been browned to a smooth chocolate brown finish which contrasts the lighter color on the stock. The crescent buttplate securely engages your shoulder. The buttplate comb is neatly paneled with a wedding band to round. The patchbox design is pattered from a antique patchbox found on a H.E. Leman rifle. This top view shows the slender comb of the buttstock. The tang of the barrel is retained by a domed head tang bolt and additional wood screw. A iron toeplate protects the slender toe of this rifle, from dents and dings during loading. The bottom view shows the steel triggerguard, which is pinned in the front and retained by a iron screw at the rear. The triggerguard is shaped with a wide bow and slender grip rail with curled spoon. A entry and two iron forward ramrod pipes retain the 3/8" hickory ramrod, fitted with an iron tip, threaded 8-32 to accept our cleaning jag, ball puller, and patch worm, sold separately. A iron muzzle cap protects the end grain on the opposite end of the stock. The side view shows the simple cheek piece, and browned iron sideplate, fitted flush in the side panel.
Ignition is provided by this small Siler flint lock. Finished chocolate brown, to match the barrel, the lock has a strong mainspring, and short hammer travel, for fast lock time. We recommend our 5/8" knapped gun flints for best performance. The L&R 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. Fast ignition is assured by the stainless 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.
This is a hand finished piece of workmanship, by a well known maker, in excellent condition. We found only a few tiny handling marks in the stock finish, from normal use. We recommend this well fitted Southern .50 caliber longrifle as a good value for the shooter, hunter, or reenactor. 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.
