During the early revival of muzzle loading competition, Mr. Southgate recognized that restored antique guns could not fill the demands of serious shooters. He was one of the first American gun makers to use production techniques to manufacture small quantities of longrifles, which were made in small batches. He completed 1008 total rifles and pistols during his career. This rifle is serial number No. 680 and is fitted with an antique German flintlock with engraved hunting scene. The .38 caliber bore is bright and has been well maintained. This rifle includes a file folder with the original invoice, and some correspondence between Mr. Southgate and original purchaser, as well as some period articles. Trigger reach is 13-1/4" and the rifle weighs 8.0 pounds.
The 13/16" octagon 41-1/4" long .38 caliber barrel is rifled with six lands and groves with a slow rifling twist for patched round ball. The bore has been well maintained and is ready to shoot. The barrel has a dark textured brown finish with wear along the edges and around the vent from firing and cleaning. The top flat of the barrel is signed with the maker's signature, R. Southgate and the serial number, 680 is stamped at the breech. A flat top rear sight is dovetailed 12-1/4" ahead of the breech. A low blade brass front sight is dovetailed behind the muzzle. Stamped sunbursts decorate the muzzle end of the barrel.
This rifle is stocked in very plain maple stained to a warm brown. The stock has a few small handling marks from use. The stock appears to have a Lehigh Valley influence to the buttstock shape with a roman nose architecture. Trimmed in brass, the buttplate is well fitted and is mounted with brass screws. This rifle has a brass patchbox with eagle head, and is hand engraved with a hunter's star and floral design. The patchbox door opens to reveal a cavity for storing extra shooting supplies. A small tear drop shaped brass inlay decorated with zig-zag engraving decorates both sides of the wrist. Our top view reveals the simple architecture of this early replica. A high dome head bolt passes through the straight tang to engage the trigger plate below. Three iron pins retain the barrel to the forearm, and are surrounded by brass oval inlays decorated with zig-zag engraving.
The bottom view reveals the brass toeplate, mounted with four small nails. Two iron screws retain the polished brass triggerguard, which has aged to a mellow patina. Two brass ramrod pipes with ringed ends and matching entry pipe with short skirt secure the wooden ramrod that is decorated with a barber pole design. The ramrod is fitted with a brass tip threaded to accept 10-32 cleaning and loading accessories. The cheek piece is decorated with two lines of molding and a diamond shaped brass inlay with zig-zag engraving. Incised scrolls decorate the area behind the cheek. The single lock bolt passes through a tear drop shaped brass sideplate. A similar shaped inlay is found in the forward part of the lock panel.
Ignition is provided by an antique Germanic flintlock that we believe dates from the 1750 to 1760 era. This antique lock functions perfectly and throws a shower of sparks. The lock plate is engraved with a hunting scene depicting sportsmen and a dog chasing a wild boar. The cock, pan, and frizzen are engraved with a beautiful floral design. This Germanic lock does not have any screws that protrude through the plate, even the lock bolts were fitted to lugs that are blind screws. The bridleless pan is removable and the frizzen spring mounts with a blind screw from the inside. The lock plate is signed JOSEPH HAMERL under the pan, and IN WIENN, modern day Vienna, just behind the cock. We recommend our 7/8" #FLINT-AMBER-7 in this specific lock. The direct drilled touch hole is positioned above the bottom of the pan, centered on the heat of the flash. This rifle is fitted with a single trigger that provides a smooth release of the lock. Currently the lock uses only a single lock bolt. This bolt is not a standard SAE or metric thread.
An additional lock is included with this rifle. Sometime after initial construction a previous owner who was concerned with using the antique lock made a crude coil spring lock to use with this rifle. This lock does not have good geometry. We note the sear drops well below the lock plate in the half cock position, the frizzen has lots of play, and this lock does not spark very well. We recommend using the antique German lock that is fitted to this rifle. It has worked for 270 years without issue, and it is sure to work for years to come.
While this gun is shootable with a bright well maintained bore, we recommend it to a serious collector who appreciates that it is a rapidly disappearing piece of American folk art from the 1950-1960 era, before the advent of production longrifles and parts. This Royland Southgate rifle is sure to be a great conversation piece! 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.
The 13/16" octagon 41-1/4" long .38 caliber barrel is rifled with six lands and groves with a slow rifling twist for patched round ball. The bore has been well maintained and is ready to shoot. The barrel has a dark textured brown finish with wear along the edges and around the vent from firing and cleaning. The top flat of the barrel is signed with the maker's signature, R. Southgate and the serial number, 680 is stamped at the breech. A flat top rear sight is dovetailed 12-1/4" ahead of the breech. A low blade brass front sight is dovetailed behind the muzzle. Stamped sunbursts decorate the muzzle end of the barrel.
This rifle is stocked in very plain maple stained to a warm brown. The stock has a few small handling marks from use. The stock appears to have a Lehigh Valley influence to the buttstock shape with a roman nose architecture. Trimmed in brass, the buttplate is well fitted and is mounted with brass screws. This rifle has a brass patchbox with eagle head, and is hand engraved with a hunter's star and floral design. The patchbox door opens to reveal a cavity for storing extra shooting supplies. A small tear drop shaped brass inlay decorated with zig-zag engraving decorates both sides of the wrist. Our top view reveals the simple architecture of this early replica. A high dome head bolt passes through the straight tang to engage the trigger plate below. Three iron pins retain the barrel to the forearm, and are surrounded by brass oval inlays decorated with zig-zag engraving.
The bottom view reveals the brass toeplate, mounted with four small nails. Two iron screws retain the polished brass triggerguard, which has aged to a mellow patina. Two brass ramrod pipes with ringed ends and matching entry pipe with short skirt secure the wooden ramrod that is decorated with a barber pole design. The ramrod is fitted with a brass tip threaded to accept 10-32 cleaning and loading accessories. The cheek piece is decorated with two lines of molding and a diamond shaped brass inlay with zig-zag engraving. Incised scrolls decorate the area behind the cheek. The single lock bolt passes through a tear drop shaped brass sideplate. A similar shaped inlay is found in the forward part of the lock panel.
Ignition is provided by an antique Germanic flintlock that we believe dates from the 1750 to 1760 era. This antique lock functions perfectly and throws a shower of sparks. The lock plate is engraved with a hunting scene depicting sportsmen and a dog chasing a wild boar. The cock, pan, and frizzen are engraved with a beautiful floral design. This Germanic lock does not have any screws that protrude through the plate, even the lock bolts were fitted to lugs that are blind screws. The bridleless pan is removable and the frizzen spring mounts with a blind screw from the inside. The lock plate is signed JOSEPH HAMERL under the pan, and IN WIENN, modern day Vienna, just behind the cock. We recommend our 7/8" #FLINT-AMBER-7 in this specific lock. The direct drilled touch hole is positioned above the bottom of the pan, centered on the heat of the flash. This rifle is fitted with a single trigger that provides a smooth release of the lock. Currently the lock uses only a single lock bolt. This bolt is not a standard SAE or metric thread.
An additional lock is included with this rifle. Sometime after initial construction a previous owner who was concerned with using the antique lock made a crude coil spring lock to use with this rifle. This lock does not have good geometry. We note the sear drops well below the lock plate in the half cock position, the frizzen has lots of play, and this lock does not spark very well. We recommend using the antique German lock that is fitted to this rifle. It has worked for 270 years without issue, and it is sure to work for years to come.
While this gun is shootable with a bright well maintained bore, we recommend it to a serious collector who appreciates that it is a rapidly disappearing piece of American folk art from the 1950-1960 era, before the advent of production longrifles and parts. This Royland Southgate rifle is sure to be a great conversation piece! 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.
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