This flint longrifle is neatly fitted and finished and signed on the barrel by the late R. Greider. The rifle stock architecture has the "Roman nose" architecture of the Reading, Berks County Pennsylvania. The evolution of the Reading, Berks County longrifle was thought to have been highly influenced by the Swiss immigrant gunmaker Wolfgang Hachen, sometimes spelled Wolfgang Haga. Trimmed in brass furniture, this fine rifle features a 42" straight octagon barrel and a large Siler flintlock. This rifle is a few decades old and has been very well maintained. The rifle has a 13-3/4" length of pull, to fit a today's average size shooter. This rifle weights 8.1 pounds.

The .45 caliber straight octagon barrel is 13/16" octagon by 42" overall length. The .45 caliber bore is rifled with eight lands and grooves with a slow twist for a tightly patched round ball. The bore is bright and well maintained. The muzzle end is decorated with engraved flower petals around the bore. A long base flat top rear sight is dovetailed 6-1/2" ahead of the breech. A nickel silver blade front sight is dovetailed behind the muzzle.

The buttstock is shaped with sweeping lines and a 'Roman nose comb". Stocked in maple, the stock has been stained to a light brown with a golden undertone. All of the brass has naturally aged to mellow patina. The brass patchbox is shaped with a head with piercings and a four petal flower. The head panels and door are all neatly hand engraved in a folk art style. The door has a steel door catch post that engages a spring that compresses it from both sides. The buttplate has a small cut finger relief to open the door. The buttplate has a modest curve to engage the shooter's shoulder. The lock panel is framed with a panel of raised carving. The barrel is retained to the stock with three brass wedge keys fitted without escutcheon plates. These brass keys are captured to the stock to prevent loss.

The bottom view reveals the squared toe of the rifle. A brass toeplate is fitted to protect the toe of the stock from contact with the ground during loading and cleaning. The triggerguard is neatly shaped with crisp filed flats and has a small amount of engraving on the triggerguard bow. The triggerguard is mounted with traditional retaining pins. Pins were much simpler for the gun maker to install than hand made screws. The ramrod entry pipe is framed with a raised carved Fluer de Lys. The decoration continues as a incised molding down the forearm of the rifle. The ramrod is fitted with a brass tip with 8-32 threads for loading and cleaning accessories. The brass sideplate is shaped with a squared tail. The buttstock is shaped with a square cheek fitted with a brass hunter's star. The stock is decorated with raised carving.

This rifle is fitted with a large Siler flintlock. The lock is finished to a matte brown and has a Germanic influence with the octagon pan and molding across the pointed tail. This lock has a strong mainspring and we recommend our 3/4" knapped flints, #FLINT-ENG-6. Below the lock a single trigger has been pinned high to provide good leverage against the ear. The rifle is fitted with a vent liner. The liner is positioned well above the bottom of the pan, centered on the heat of the flash.

This longrifle is signed by the maker and has very 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.