The unique style of Southern Mountain rifles originated from the Western Carolinas into Eastern Tennessee during the late 18th and early 19th century. This .32 caliber longrifle is trimmed in iron, and stocked in curly maple. Often referred to as a Tennessee style, antique Tennessee flint rifles were often equipped with imported English locks, this Southern rifle is fitted with a classic European flintlock by Larry Zornes. The double lever double set triggers are tuned to fire set, or unset. Not a low cost poor boy style rifle, this is a full dressed best Southern rifle. Unsigned it is attributed to K. Blevins. Trigger reach is 13-1/2", to fit today's average size shooter. Weight is a modest 7.0 pounds. The rifle balances nicely in your hands, just under the rear ramrod pipe.

The 42" by 3/4" straight octagon .32 caliber barrel gives the rifle a modest weight without being overly muzzle heavy. The bore is bright and has been well maintained. Cut rifled by Rice Barrel Company with six deep grooves with a 1 in 48" twist for a tightly patched round ball. Rice Muzzle Loading Rifle Barrels are set between centers and milled octagonal, insuring a centered bore. Each barrel is stress relieved in an atmosphere controlled electric furnace, to eliminate work hardening or barrel warp, and to dampen harmonic vibrations or barrel whip. After the rifling has been cut, each bore is "ball burnished". A carbide bore-sizing die is pulled through the barrel, to insure bore dimension uniformity, eliminating any tight or loose spots inside the barrel. This critical procedure leaves the top of the lands smooth and polished, equaling the traditional lead lapping procedure. Rice barrels are Match grade quality, with bench rest capability. Rice barrels do not require lapping or extensive shooting to break-in. The exterior is finished to a smooth chocolate brown. The rear sight is dovetailed 10-1/2" ahead of the breech. Shooters with "older" eyes or corrective lenses will find this extra distance easier to use. The front sight is a browned steel blade with integral base dovetailed 1-1/2" behind the muzzle.

This curly maple stock is neatly shaped with a slender buttstock, wrist, and forearm. The stock is stained to a dark brown with golden undertones to best display the figure over the length of the stock. Curly maple is a very correct choice for stock wood, often found on antique Southern rifles. The furniture, barrel, and lock are finished to a brown with some minor wear from handling. The stock is fitted with a crescent buttplate. The fit on the buttplate has a few minor cosmetic gaps on the edge. A straight tang breech plug is fitted to the barrel and secured with a single tang bolt. The iron triggerguard has a long pointed finial on the grip rail. The 5/16" diameter ramrod is mounted through two forward ramrod pipes, and an entry pipe. The brass ramrod tip is threaded 8-32 to accept loading and cleaning accessories. The ramrod is decorated with a barber pole design. An iron muzzle cap protects the end grain of the forearm. The two lock bolts pass directly through the stock without the use of a sideplate. Notice how the slender lock panels top edge is a continuation of the line created by the side and off flat of the barrel. This ideal architecture gives the rifle a slender graceful appearance. The buttstock is shaped with a square cheek piece.

Ignition for the gun is provided by a flintlock by Larry Zornes. The lock is browned to match the barrel and features a strong mainspring that functions as it should. Fast ignition is assured by the slotted steel 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. The R.E. Davis double lever double set triggers will fire from a set or unset position, and can be adjusted for trigger pull in the set position. Adjust the screw between the two triggers, inboard to reduce set trigger release pressure, or outboard to require a stronger pressure. The set trigger can provide very light release, perhaps an ounce or two, for accurate aimed shooting during pleasant weather.

This Southern flint rifle is neatly shaped and light weight with a .32 barrel. The bore is bright and has been well maintained. This small caliber rifle will be perfect for your next small game hunt and will be a joy to carry. 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.