Here's a wonderful Pennsylvania Long Rifle that dates between 1840 and 1860. This "half stocked" curly maple rifle is in good condition and is a good example of the "frontier gunsmithing" during the 19th Century.
Gun parts have always been expensive, and at times, difficult to come by. This is why American gunmakers have had a long history of "recycling" parts from damaged or worn out weapons spanning all the way back to the first English settlements of the 17th Century. This rifle is an excellent example of this practice. The 40" barrel of this rifle likely dates to the 1820's or 1830's and was most likely originally mated to a flintlock. It was also originally utilized in a "full stock" rifle; as evidenced by the empty dovetails neatly cut into the bottom of the barrel that once held barrel tenons which were used to pin the barrel to the gun's original stock. At some point during this barrel's lifetime, the stock was apparently damaged beyond repair and a new stock was made, in a more "updated" half-stock pattern.
Along with a new stock, the barrel was also neatly converted to percussion via the "drum" conversion method, and mated to a new percussion lock. The lock is marked with a a partially obscured maker's name, as well as the word "warranted". It is is undoubtedly a mass produced "commercial lock" from the 1850's or 1860s, and may have originally been produced in England or Philadelphia - both locations were a "hub" for gun part manufacturers. Components from these areas, especially locks, were exported all over the United States, where they were purchased by frontier gunmakers for use in their own builds. The lock is very high quality and the hammer holds solid on full cock with no provision for a half cock (these commercial locks rarely have a half cock, as they were meant to be used with set triggers - eliminating the half cock helps to avoid the sear catching on half cock when the lock is tripped).
The lock and barrel were neatly installed in a walnut stock, which remains in excellent condition with no damage or issues, other than a small to the top of the lock mortise (see photos).
It appears that at least some of the furniture may have been recycled as well, as the patch box of this rifle is of very high quality and features beautiful engraving. The styling and quality of the patchbox suggests that it may date to the 18th Century.
The bore was reamed to smoothbore and measures about .45 caliber. The length of pull is a very reasonable 13.5"
