Here's a nicely executed .54 caliber long rifle. This rifle was built following the "Schimmel", or "poor boy" style of design and is pattern after guns from the late 18th/early 19th Centuries. These simple and slender rifles were popular in the Carolinas. This particular rifle is fully custom built using all American-made parts.
The lock is one of Bud Siler's famous percussion "Siler locks". These locks were custom made by Siler and are a perfect copy of an original late 18th Century Germanic flintlock typically found on American long rifle which was neatly converted to percussion. Bud Siler produced his locks from 1960 to 1993 when he sold the company to Jim Chambers, who has been producing Siler Locks ever since. Siler locks have garnered such a reputation for their speed an reliability, that they have become by far the most popular choice for modern longrifle builders; with as many as 2 out of 3 contemporary longrifles sport a "Siler" lock.
The rifle was stocked up using a nice straight-grained piece of American Black Walnut. The stock is in excellent condition with no cracks or chips and only a few minor handling marks. The graceful lines of the stock a very well executed, giving the rifle a very slim look.
The barrel is .54 caliber, and was made by Green Mountain Barrels. It features wonderfully crisp rifling and no major rust or pitting - this rifle should make for an excellent shooter!
Double set triggers provide ignition for the lock. They are neatly fit to the stock and work well.
The browned steel furniture furniture was all directly copied off of original examples and is nicely finished. All the inletting work is tight with no gaps.
This handsome rifle would be a perfect choice for a reenactor, target shooter, or hunter; all for less than the price of an out-of-the-box Italian reproduction.
