Pennsylvania rifle made by R.A.Potts

[da172]

Hi everyone,
I am a proud owner of flintlock Pennsylvania rifle made by R.A. Potts (RIP). I cannot find any info about the maker. The seller (Log Cabin Shop) mentioned R.A.Potts was an active target shooter and I try to continue his tradition with his gun here in Poland. The caliber is .50. The lock is Large Siler with Davis hair trigger. Not sure where a barrel comes from as there is no markings apart from maker's initials and the 4-digit number 1405

It is octagonal at the breach and turns round after about 15 inches. Two wedding rings. Taperes towards the muzzle.

Grateful for any additional info on this nice rifle. Many thanks in advance.

 

[Nobody85]

I’ve been to the log cabin shop quite a bit when I was younger. As I recall; it was popular in the late 90s-2000s to have octagon to round barrels that were also rifled. If the maker received the barrel from the Log Cabin Shop at that time; it was probably a Green Mountain barrel. That’s what I remember them carrying at that time. You’d have to look on the underside of the barrel which is risky with a long rifle. I’d just enjoy it as it is to be honest with you as the risk outweighs the reward of knowing for sure. Great looking rifle!

 

[da172]

I’ve been to the log cabin shop quite a bit when I was younger. As I recall; it was popular in the late 90s-2000s to have octagon to round barrels that were also rifled. If the maker received the barrel from the Log Cabin Shop at that time; it was probably a Green Mountain barrel. That’s what I remember them carrying at that time. You’d have to look on the underside of the barrel which is risky with a long rifle. I’d just enjoy it as it is to be honest with you as the risk outweighs the reward of knowing for sure. Great looking rifle!

Thanks for the above comment. I had the barrel out some time ago but found no markings except the number. Do You know if all Green Mountain barrels shall be marked?
Another question: are there any type of historically correct diopter rear sights that can be mounted on the tang of this rifle? That would definitely improve my aiming. The rifle shoots great.

 

[Nobody85]

I believe Green Mountain Barrels will have a small circle with a flat looking M in the middle. I wonder if it possible that someone took a long octagon barrel and turned it on a lathe? I’m not sure. I believe peep sights have been found on guns from just about the beginning albeit rare. I really think the tang peep sight starts to come into favor with the trap doors and sharps rifles though. It’s your rifle, do what you want with it. It looks great!

 

[TDM]

Beautiful rifle. Enjoy!

 

[hanshi]

One of my favorite rifles (.45) has a fine swamped GM barrel. I bought it approaching 19 years ago. Bobby Hoyt turned it from a .40 to a .45 - the bore had sustained damage. It is one fine barrel, a "B" wgt X 38" tube. As a .40 it came in at 8 lbs but lost several ounces when rebored.