The rifle is based on what is thought to be one of the earliest iron mounted American rifles, probably made in Southwest Virginia by an unknown gunsmith around the time of the Revolutionary War. The original rifle was featured in an article by Wallace Gusler in the September 2003 issue of Muzzle Blasts, the photos of the gun clearly indicate a strong Germanic influence.
Although my gun is not by any means a bench copy of the original, I had the good fortune to be able to meet with the original rifle's owner and study the gun up close, so I was better able to attempt and maintain the overall feel of the old gun. It is built around a .62 caliber, 46 3/8" long rifled barrel made to the dimensions of the original by Ed Rayl, the lock is a modified Chambers, and the remaining parts were forged out of wrought iron.
Copy by Ian Pratt and photos by Maryellen Pratt.
What type of barrel does this have on it? I have a 62 cal rifle that resembles this one very much...the barrel is an octagon to round. My stock is cracked so I'm thinking about getting it restocked...and these pics will serve as a good inspiration.
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