Here's a wonderful Pennsylvania Long Rifle that dates between 1850 and 1863. This "full stocked" curly maple rifle is in excellent condition and is a good example of the "final evolution" of the famous Pennsylvania Rifle that became so synonymous with American sharpshooters during the War for Independence.
The styling of this rifle is very indicative of the late Pennsylvania rifles rifles made during the mid 19th Century. These rifles feature long straight commercial barrels and simple "export" locks made in large manufacturing centers like Philadelphia. These "mass produced" components were combined with handmade furniture and stocked up in the traditional "long rifle" style by skilled gunsmiths around the Lancaster and Philadelphia area.
In this case the makers of the lock also happen to manufacture the rest of the rifle as well. Both the lock and the barrel are marked "TRUITT BROS & Co". The Truitt family of gunmakers originally began producing Pennsylvania long rifles in the 1840s. By 1863, the firm had expanded operations, opening up a large shop located at at 528 Market Street, Philadelphia. In addition to gun building, the Truitt brothers also began marketing gun locks, and furniture from foreign makers. An 1863 newspaper ad for the company describes the firm as "Importers and wholesale dealers in foreign and domestic hardware."
As importers and manufacturers of gun parts, the Truitt Bros sold locks marked with their company name to be utilized by gunbuilders all over the Eastern United States. However, a feature that makes this particular rifle interesting is the fact that the barrel is also marked "TRUITT BROS & CO, PHILADA", which distinguishes this gun as actually having been produced and sold by Truitt Bros & Co, rather than a rifle that was made by another gunsmith using parts purchased from Truitt.
Overall this rifle is in great shape and is a fine example of a high quality Pennsylvania rifle . This sugar-maple stocked long rifle is in great shape. The stock was never refinished as indicated by its crisp edges and natural dark patina. The stock has no damage, other than a few "handling marks" typically associated with guns of this vintage. A beautiful brass patch box adorns the butt stock, which is kept closed via an internal spring.
The lock is very high quality and the hammer holds solid on full cock with no provision for a half cock (guns with set triggers have no half cock to avoid the sear catching on half cock when the lock is tripped).
A pair of handmade set triggers are neatly installed in the stock. The trigger function perfectly.
The .45 caliber rifled barrel measures about 38" in length. The bore features some signs of use, and the rifling is very worn near the muzzle; the result of years of ramming and cleaning with a wooden ram rod. The rest of the bores features shallow rifling and some scattered surface rust throughout.
This original rifle would make a collector's piece - an original rifle for a price that's comparable to a Pedersoli reproduction!
