This attractive Southern Mountain rifle is stamped C.D. Walker on the top flat of the barrel. The rifle is stocked in straight grain walnut and trimmed in hand made iron furniture. Often referred to as a Tennessee style, this Southern rifle features a Siler mountain percussion lock mated to a .40 caliber by 46" straight octagon Rayl barrel. Not a low cost poor boy style rifle, this is a full dressed Southern rifle with best quality parts to create a truly authentic rifle, with the look and feel of an original. Trigger reach is 13-5/8" to fit today's average size shooter. This small caliber longrifle weighs 9.5 pounds and balances just ahead of the ramrod entry pipe.
The .40 caliber W.E. Rayl 46" long 7/8" straight octagon barrel is cut rifled with seven lands and radius bottom grooves with a slow twist for patched round ball. The bore is bright, clean, and has been well maintained. The barrel is finished to a heavy textured brown patina. The low flat top rear sight is dovetailed 12" ahead of the breech. Shooters with "older" eyes or corrective lenses will find this extra distance from the breech easier to use. The front sight is a very low silver blade with a brass base dovetailed 1-3/4" behind the muzzle. The top flat is stamped C.D. Walker between the rear sight and breech.
The straight grain walnut stock is finished dark with a low satin sheen. The stock has many small dings and handling marks, which adds to the patina finish of the rifle. The buttstock is fitted with a hand made steel buttplate with a gentle curve to engage the shooter's shoulder. The copper rivet used to secure the comb to the bottom of the buttplate can be seen on both sides of the brazed joint, a nice historical touch. The buttplate is secured with a screw in the rear, and two in the comb. The long pointed tail of the breech plug has one bolt that passes through to engage the trigger plate below. Three small iron pins retain the barrel to the forearm. The long slender iron "Bean of Tennessee" style patchbox features a domed lid with brass diamond overlay. A small spring latch at the tail secures the door. Beneath the door is a cut cavity for storing flints, patches, or other shooting accessories.
The bottom view reveals the long iron toeplate, securely mounted with three iron screws. The Tennessee style triggerguard is retained by two screws, in traditional fashion. This hand forged Tennessee style triggerguard has a large bow and long grip rail with curled spoon that is brazed to the bow. The rifle is fitted with two handmade forward pipes and a short entry pipe without a skirt, sometimes found on Southern rifles. The ramrod is fitted with a brass tip with 8-32 threads for loading and cleaning accessories, we note the ramrod extends 1/2" past the muzzle. A poured pewter muzzlecap protects the end grain of the stock. The square cheek gives the shooter a comfortable rest to align the sights and is decorated with two lines of molding. A single lock bolt retains the lock on this well dressed Southern Mountain longrifle. The brass tear drop style sideplate is mounted flush with the side panel.
Ignition is provided by this left hand Siler Mountain caplock. This lock is a classic design, circa 1830 - 1850 style, with rounded tail, and notched for a powder drum. Finished to a dark brown with the same aged patina to match the barrel, the lock has a strong mainspring, and short hammer travel, for fast lock time. The drum is well supported by the lock plate, and is fitted with a hardened steel 1/4-28 nipple for No. 11 percussion caps. The rifle is fitted with single lever double set triggers. The triggers must be set, before you can cock the lock. Due to the single lever design, the lock will only fire from the set position.
This Southern Mountain longrifle has a great patina finish, with the look and feel of an original. The .40 caliber bore is bright and has been well maintained. This rifle will be both a joy to shoot and display. 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.
