This classic golden age era fullstock flint rifle is made in the style of the Allentown - Bethlehem, Pennsylvania rifle maker Herman Rupp. Stocked in curly maple and trimmed in brass furniture with a brass wire inlay border around the patchbox. The straight octagon barrel and large Siler flintlock are finished to a dark brown with a texture to the finish. This long rifle is signed by the late R.E. Greider. Used, this rifle has a few handling marks and minor wear in the finish from handling and firing. With an overall weight of 8.1 pounds, the rifle has a trigger reach of 13-1/2” making the gun well suited for today’s average size shooter.

The .45 caliber barrel is 13/16" straight octagon. The bore is rifled with eight lands and grooves with a slow twist for a patched round ball. The bore is bright and has been well maintained. The barrel is finished to a textured brown. A brass blade front sight is dovetailed behind the muzzle, and a semi-buckhorn rear sight is dovetailed 8" ahead of the breech. The barrel is secured to the stock with three wedge keys. The keys are captured to the stock to prevent loss.

One of the defining characteristics of the Bethlehem school is the "Roman nose", which refers to the convex comb and the concave wrist-to-toe. The stock is stained to a reddish amber tone with golden highlights displaying the contrasting stripes of figure. The burnished brass patchbox has aged to a mellow patina. The decorative head is mounted with three steel screws. The patchbox is framed with a brass wire inlay border. A button release at the end of the door allows the patchbox to spring open. By pushing the button toward the heel, the patchbox opens. A deep patchbox cavity with the volume increased by the domed door has plenty of space to store loading and cleaning accessories, or tow a cotton fiber waste traditionally used for cleaning firearms. The patchbox has a cleaning jag and worm. Viewed from the top, this graceful Bethlehem rifle features a tapered comb. A correct architectural detail is that the buttplate comb tapers toward the muzzle and is inlet into the comb of the butt. It does not extend over the edges of the comb unlike many other schools of rifles. Raised carving surrounds the flared thumbnail tang of the breech plug. A nickel silver oval is inlaid into the wrist. A brass toeplate with Fluer de Lis and brass wire inlay accents is fitted to this rifle. The triggerguard has a wide bow and has aged to a mellow patina. An engraved Indian head is inlaid just forward of the triggerguard. This feature was found on some early rifles from the Bethlehem school. Raised carving frames the ramrod entry pipe and continues as a molding along the ramrod channel. The muzzle end of the stock is protected with a brass muzzle cap. The sideplate is shaped with a classic arrowhead point. The cheek is inlaid with a flowering hunter's star and accented with raised and incised carving.

Ignition is provided by a large Siler flintlock. Finished with a textured brown finish similar to the barrel. The lock plate has a hand-forged appearance. Tuned for best performance the lock will throw a shower of sparks into the pan. The frizzen shows some strike wear from firing. The single trigger is correctly positioned and releases smoothly. An Ampco bronze vent liner is installed. The deep internal cone brings the main charge close to the pan and centers it 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 gunmakers, 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 longrifle is signed by the maker and has well-fitted furniture. The bore is bright, and the large Siler lock sparks well. The rifle has neatly executed carving and has aged to a natural patina. It will be a joy to display, carry at your next reenactment, or shoot at the range! 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.