This rifle inspired
by the work of John Rupp and Jacob Albright in typical of a Lehigh Valley
rifle. The roman nose profile of the stock just seems to make the
rifle hang on target without effort. The patchbox was entirely hand
cut and formed. The original can be seen on the cover of Accouterments
III, by James R. Johnson. The design is the Seal of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as it appeared on state issued script dated
1776. The Federal Eagle as carved by Albright is featured behind the
cheekpiece. The brass furniture is fully engraved and aged.
This rifle is an
exacting copy of a rifle by Melchoir Fordney. The original is
displayed by the Lancaster Historical society, Lancaster, PA. The
beautifully figured piece of curly maple was faithfully carved as Fordney
had done on the original. The patchbox was handcut as well as the
inlays. The cheekpiece inlay is of a swan in a PA Dutch motif.
The gun was supplied along with a copy of a court transcript of the trial
of Jos. Haggerty, who murdered this accomplished gunsmith in the early
1800's. (Haggerty was found guilty, but insane...he was hanged none
the less.)
A Lancaster County
style rifle with a daisy head patchbox. This rifle is typical of
those late in the flint period. The carving was incised without
elaborate treatment of any details. Inlays of the customer's
choosing were used. This gun was built with economy in mind, but
function was the foremost consideration. A straight Green Mountain
7/8" 50-cal. barrel was used along with a high quality lock and
double set trigger. This rifle will see hard use and should give
good service at an economical price.
