.45 Caliber 37″ Flintlock Rifle Muzzleloader Musket Contemporary w/ Flint
SOLD FOR: $1006.99
WOA#: 230621RPLS001WY
Make: Unmarked
Model: Flintlock Rifle
Year of Manufacture: Contemporary
Caliber: .45 Caliber
Action Type: Flintlock Muzzle-Loaded Musket
Markings: The top of the barrel, side plates, trigger guard, ram rod housing and buttplate are all engraved. The top of the straight wrist has an Owl Shield Crest with an “R” in the center. The left side of the buttstock has a decorative bird inlay and the right side of the buttstock on the box lid has a decorative star. The side of the flash shield as a Crowned “GR”.
Barrel Length: 37” Octagonal Barrel
Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a fixed blade dovetailed to the top of the barrel. The rear sight is an open V-Notch dovetailed to the barrel.
Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The stock is one-piece wood featuring a provision in the forend for the included ramrod, a lock-plate secured by five screws, two side-plates, a straight wrist, a straight comb, box lid, and a metal butt-plate. The stock has some light-moderate handling marks, nicks and scuffs. The LOP is 14.5” from the front of the trigger to the rear of the butt-plate. The butt-plate is coated in light surface oxidation and has some light handling marks including some patina and pitting at the heel. Overall, the stock is in Fine condition.
Type of Finish: In the White
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore shows no pitting or erosion. It is mostly bright and shows little to no sign of corrosion. The rifling is sharp. The bore needs to be cleaned and is sure to be bright once cleaned.
Overall Condition: The musket has no metal finish. The gun was finished in the white. The locking assembly functions correctly with string components. There is some light corrosion on the frizzen and pan. The gun has some light handling marks, nicks and scuffs. Notably, the gun is coated in scattered patches of light surface oxidation especially around the sights. The markings remain clear. Overall, the contemporary flintlock rifle is in Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action works normally. We have not fired this musket. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box Paperwork and Accessories: There is a ramrod installed into the forend as well as a flint.
Our Assessment: The Flintlock Rifle is a type of firearm that gained prominence in the 17th and 18th centuries. It represents a significant advancement in firearms technology compared to its predecessors. The flintlock mechanism replaced earlier ignition systems like the matchlock and wheel lock, offering greater reliability, ease of use, and improved safety.
The development of the flintlock mechanism is credited to a Frenchman named Marin le Bourgeoys in the early 17th century. The flintlock system uses a flint to strike against a steel frizzen, creating sparks that ignite the gunpowder in the pan. This, in turn, ignites the main charge in the barrel, propelling the projectile forward.
Flintlock rifles became widely used during the 18th century and played a significant role in various conflicts, including the American Revolutionary War and the Napoleonic Wars. They were known for their accuracy and range, making them popular among hunters, military forces, and civilians alike.
However, as technology progressed, flintlock rifles eventually gave way to more advanced ignition systems such as the percussion cap and later the self-contained cartridge. These innovations offered faster and more reliable ignition, marking the end of the flintlock era.
Today, flintlock rifles hold historical and cultural significance. They are valued for their craftsmanship and are often sought after by collectors, historical reenactors, and enthusiasts interested in experiencing the weapons of the past.