Mountainman Rifle

[blackhorse]

Since moving to the plains in veiw of the Rockies I have changed my historical persona to the Early exploration of the Rockies (???) I could use some advice. I am looking for a large caliber flint rifle to use in these mountains. I prefer a short barrel (30 inches ?) to use on horseback. My 42 inch barreled smoothie is awkward. what say ye,

 

[OTHERN]

I have a 31" barreled Hawkens fullstock in flint in 62 cal and I really like it. I'm currently working on a 34" 58 that was originally going to be a half-stock Hawkens, but has now evolved into a cutdown Lancaster in flint. With that being said, I hunted last year in Wyo for Elk with horses and used my 42" longrifle and didn't have any problems.

 

[blackhorse]

I guess I should have said that I want a rifle VS a smoothie. I am not very accurate with my .62 Wilson trade gun and I do not want to waste a shot this year.. Ha ha. I don't know that I want a Hawken in that it would limit me to a period after 1809 (I think). Looking, maybe, for something that would have been made around 1790ish ???. I believe rifles were being made for the military with 30or 31 or 32 inch barrels. But I definately want to go rifled gun. Shorter barrelled. WHat say ye good gentlemen

 

[sse]

Maybe someone else can chime in, but is a musket out of the question?

Regards, sse

 

[Leonredbeard]

Blackhorse,
I have a yeager I made myself. It started out as a .60 rifled but is now a .54, (long story, nothing tragic, just evolution). A yeager has voluptuous good looks and is handy in that the barrel lengths usually ran 26" to 31". They were correct in some large calibers. Go with a .62 or a .65 or .69. Those calibers are hard hitting within open sight range. Flintlocks were the only ignition of the originals. You can say your grandaddy brought it from Austria in 1730 AD. and it was passed down to you in great condition, grandaddy being a bit of an aristocrat. You brought it to save you the cost of a more modern gun, etc. Be creative. Have Fun! :redthumb:
God bless.
volatpluvia

 

If you're at 1809 or before what would be wrong with an 1803 Harpers Ferry? Seems an argument could be made for that rifle and at cal. 54 it's certainly adequate for anything in Colorado.

Vic

 

[blackhorse]

I like The Harper Ferry , but I would like an arm that could be from the 1790's. Or earlier. I am seriously considering a Harper Ferry.

 

[CoyoteJoe]

If you decide on an 1803 Harpers Ferry I would advise you go custom because the Italian repops are pretty sorry. :imo:

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

Most any rifle from the 1790 period on up would work for you. A large bore eastern long rifle bobbed to the length of your choice would be acceptable. If you are working up a persona for rondezvous, you can easily make up a story about your rifle. Lots of eastern rifles and muskets went west. As mentioned, the 1803 Harper's Ferry would work and a full stock Hawken or other plains type rifle would be a good choice. Have you tried Don Stith's web-site? I think he may have the answer to your dilemna. Type st louis plains rifle company into your browser window. Should get you there.

 

[loophole]

The government contracted with Penn gunsmiths to build rifles in 1797. These had 44 inch barrels, I believe, and were about 50 cal. Lewis had 15 of these rifles rebuilt to take on the expedition in 1803. They were cut shorter(the records don't say how short), and apparently bored larger. The lock designed for the 1803 Springfield was fitted. A rebuilt 1797 contract rifle with a 36 inch barrel in .54 cal., straight taper, would be a very well balanced and handy rifle. I don't ride a horse but I'll bet if there were any advantage in a short rifle the mountain men would have carried a 30 inch barrel instead of the longer ones found on most hawken rifles. I'm building a fullstock flint hawken with a 1" to 15/16" tapered barrel 36" long. It seems to hold and point naturally, and if it had 6" less barrel it would be very muzzle light, to my taste, not to mention ugly. But to each his own.

 

[Stumpkiller]

How about a c.1800 .62 cal Baker? 30.5" barrel.

(bottom firelock)

Military Heritage has a version for $709 (the rifling is not available in Canada, so the $559 base smoothbore has to be sent here and rebarreled for an extra $150).

No idea how you explain off a then-front line British service rifle in the hands of a Mountainman prior to the War of 1812, but after that it would be slightly more plausable.

Are you looking for a production gun or custom?

 

Take a look at TVA's late Lancaster rifle and get it with a 38" barrel and whatever bore size you want. I have seen a lot of early rifles cut back to under 40" barrels. It was common.
:m2c:

 

[blackhorse]

Stumpkiller, lookin for a production gun. Many fine smith's out there, but want to stay under $1000. Preferably way under a grand. Re-thinking period again. I was trying to stay with Rev War arms but I will start lookin at 1812 stuff. More plausible at my real age and then being in the Rockys. All advice has been great.

 

[Stumpkiller]

Check out Early Rustic Arms (click me)

He has some interesting stuff for $725 in large bore rifles (up to .62 cal). He produces a "Colonial Smoothbore" with a rifle option in either German or British influence for the furniture and stock shape, and he also has a more southern style Cumberland rifle that would be a bit unique among the Hawkens but not out of place.

 

Someone mentioned TVA's Lancaster cut back. I have a TVA Leman, flint in cal. 54 that has a 36" barrel. I like it a lot and as far as I know they're still under a gran, but not way under a grand. I believe they're aroud $750.00.

Sounds as if you have an interesting choice to make. I envy you a bit, good luck!

Vic