Help identifying flintlock rifle

[TJ.Mack]

Hi. I'm new here and don't know if I've figured out how to post pictures yet. It sure isn't clear how to do it anywhere on this website.

I've tried to post some pictures of a flintlock smoothbore rifle that I recently aquired. I know VERY little about flintlocks and am hoping that someone can help identify it and give me an idea of value.

The bore measures about .615" and the barrel is 47" long. Overall length is 62". There is only one mark on the bottom of the barrel, which I show in one of the pictures.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.


http://s565.photobucket.com/albums/ss92/TJMack09/

 

[musketman]

I'll post them for you...

 

[Swampman]

I wouldn't remove the barrel. It's a sure way to ruin a gun.

 

[TJ.Mack]

Thanks for the help, Musketman. I'm sure it's easy once you get the hang of it.

Mark, the barrel came right out very easily after removing the cross pins. The tang screw was already stripped so that wasn't a problem either. It's not the first time the barrel was taken out, lol.

 

[Okwaho]

Although the pictures could show more including the patchbox {if any}, all carving on both the the cheekpiece side and the lock side,the sideplate from an angle to show the edges,any carving around the tang, and whether the barrel is octagonal or round.Based on what you did show this gun suggests a Reading,Pa.area origin during the Federal period{Ca.1789 to Ca.1815}The cheek piece with its heavy nolding and the seeming height is very Reading.The carving also suggests Federal period Reading carving.The hunter's star was used in the Reading area but can be seen on guns from other areas such as the Lehigh Valley which cannot be ignored here.
All in all this looks like a very nice rifle and was possibly made as a smooth rifle.I am a little surprised at the apparent lack of a patchbox on a carved rifle and if it were not shown on the pictures the presence of a rear sight reinforces the gun having been made as a rifle rather than a fowler.

I don't know where you live but on the third week in August the Contemporary Longrifle Association will have its annual meeting and show in Lexington,Ky.The CLA now has basically two shows with one featuring contemporary guns and the other featuring antique guns.This show which showcases some of the best Kentucky rifles would be a really great place to get informed and accurate answers to your questions.If you want to send a private message I will be happy to help in any way I can.
Tom Patton

 

[TJ.Mack]

Tom, thanks for the reply. The rifle does not have a patchbox, and the barrel is round except for the first 19" at the breech, which is octogonal. It is a smoothbore, but does have both sights.

I put a number of other pictures on Photobucket. If you'd like to see them, here's the link.
http://s565.photobucket.com/albums/ss92/TJMack09/

I live in central New York State, so I won't be going to that show, but thanks for the info anyway.